Congruence
Roger's concept expressing an absence of conflict between the perceived self and experience. Also, one of three conditions suggested as essential for growth and therapeutic progress
Denial
A defense mechanism, emphasized by both Freud and Rogers, in which threatening feelings are not allowed into awareness
Distortion
According to Rogers, a defensive process in which experience is changed so as to be brought into awareness in a form that is consistent with the self.
Ideal self
The self-concept the individual would most like to possess. A key concept in Roger's theory.
Incongruence
Roger's concept of the existence of a discrepancy or conflict between the perceived self and experience
Phenomenal field
The individual's way of perceiving and experiencing his or her world
Phenomenology
the study of human experience; in personality psychology, an approach to personality theory that focuses on how the person perceives and experiences the self and the world
Positive regard, need for
Roger's concept expressing the need for warmth, liking, respect, and acceptance from others
Q-sort
An assessment device in which the subject sorts statements into categories following a normal distribution. Used by Rogers as a measure of statements regarding the self and the ideal self.
Self-actualization
The fundamental tendency of the organism to actualize, maintain, enhance itself and fulfill its potential. A concept emphasized by Rogers and other members of the human potential movement.
Self-concept (or the "Self")
The perceptions and meaning associated with the self, me or I.
Self-consistency
Roger's concept expressing an absence of conflict among perceptions of the self.
Subception
A process emphasized by Rogers in which a stimulus is experienced without being brought into awareness