Thesis

Read Carl Rogers' case study and answer the following questions:

1. How does Allen’s perceived self differ from his ideal self?

Allens real self is just ordinary. He doesn’t realize that what he does everyday is how most people live their life. His ideal self is contributing to society and helping to make a difference in his community.

1. Why would Allen’s perceived self be different than his ideal self?

Allens perceived self would be different than his ideal self because he has not lost a grasp of who he wants to be. So even though everyone is telling him that he is weird or is not that person he still holds on to that hope that he can someday be that.

1. The co-worker whom Allen talks with at lunch and breaks shares the characteristics of a Rogerian therapist. List them and explain how the co-worker displays them.

Allens coworker is able to help him tap into that uncounscious space where he needs and desires are kept and help bring them to the conscious. The reason for this is that the coworker would say some things to Allen and then Allen would all of a sudden have an insight of himself.

1. What would Allen have to do in order to actualize?

In order for Allen to actualize he would have to not listen to all those voices or people in his life that he is letting have an input on decisions that is hindering his happiness and his path to actualization.

1. How does Erikson’s concept of identity, formed during the adolescent stage, apply to Allen’s ambition to change careers? How does it compare to Rogers’s self-concept? 

Eriksons concept of identity is different than Rogers’ self concept is that with Erickson the identity stage is a place of confusion but in Allens case he was not confused he had always known what he wanted to do. With Roger’s self concept it was knowing or having an idea of wanted to do and Allen had fallen in this category when he was in his adolescence.