Protest of the Third Force Came after WWII, in the 1950’s. Often called the “Third Force” in
psychology Broadest and most coherent theoretical
movement in psychology Arose as a protest against both its
immediate predecessors, psychoanalysis and behaviorism those perspectives were viewed by some
psychologists as too deterministic
Focus on the human experience
" An assumption unusual in psychology today is that the subjective human being has an important value which is basic; that no matter how he may be labeled and evaluated he is a human person first of all, and most deeply. "
--Carl Rogers, 1962
On Being Human
Three characteristics of human uniqueness: Subjectivity Individuality Capacity for growth
Actualizing Tendency
Inborn predisposition to seek the fullest expression of one’s abilities
"What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualization…It refers to the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming.“ Abraham Maslow
“Ever since I was a child I have had this instinctive urge for expansion and growth. To me, the function and duty of a quality human being is the sincere and honest development of one's potential.” Bruce Lee
Person Centered Therapy
Those in therapy are seen as 'clients‘ rather than 'patients‘ therapist and client as equal partners
The client is responsible for improving his or her life, not the therapist Therapist provides a growth-inducing
environment