The Role of Carl Rogers’ Core Conditions in HumanKind

            Human life is only sustained when the species is surrounded by itself. While this is fact, the human species looks upon itself with dissatisfaction. In my experience, humans have a difficult time relating to one another. Some occasions present the objective of relating to another human more easily than others. The circumstances seem to always be shifting. Relating to one person is never quite like relating to another person. Relating to a person on a sunny joyful day is not quite like relating to that same person on a day when everything has gone wrong. Our temperaments and dispositions are fluid. This presents a challenge in which Carl Rogers has presented a remedy. His three core conditions, genuineness, empathy, and unconditional positive regard can help individuals relate to themselves and others on good days and bad.

            Rogers puts genuineness simply. It is, to him, a condition that is not always natural. Genuineness as he puts it is when a person is aware of their current experience inside (their feelings and emotions) and their awareness is apparent through their communication.  Congruence and transparency are related to genuineness. This is because the condition, like congruence and transparency, is founded in honesty. Honesty must not only come outwardly but inwardly as well. To achieve genuineness, one must be able to be honest with themselves about their current inside experience.

            Humans can relate to each other more efficiently by utilizing genuineness. When all truths are out on the table, communication can be more direct and productive. While humans are intelligent, they are not mind readers. Letting others know our current experience is a way of stating our needs, rather than expecting that our needs will be met. It allows people to meet each other where they are at, which will promote compassion and compromise.

            Non-conditional positive regard is compassion and acceptance. Once a person is genuine, others can accept them for who they are. Because non-conditional positive regard is acceptance without judgment.  Between two people, non-conditional positive regard can build trust, which will allow genuineness to come about more easily. This condition is important because it recognizes that any one person’s experience cannot be claimed as our own. It reminds us that we each have something unique to offer others and learn from others. To be open to true selves, we must be open to the true people around us.

            Empathy is Rogers’ most researched condition. The secret behind empathy is active listening. Though usually misinterpreted as an active expression onto others, empathy is simply being attentive to the feelings and emotions behind the words being said. Empathy is not chiming in from our own experience, or projecting our assumed feelings about another person’s experience. This would be holding the power over the person, rather than allowing them to actualize their power within. Empathy is asking questions that may lead someone to better understand their own power and experience.

            Truthfully, not one of these conditions could exist without the other. Together they are a powerful trio that gives agency to individuals to support themselves and those around them. In any profession these conditions can be useful. That is because as humans in general these conditions are vital. Without these conditions, unhealthy perceptions of self are formed. With them, humans have the opportunity to understand and experience, wholly, the experience of life on earth.

Sources

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMi7uY83z-U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_DP_b9n_M8
http://hubpages.com/education/The-core-conditions-which-Carl-Rogers-considered-essential-for-effective-counselling