Humanistic psychology
Carl Rogers
1902–1987
A short biography
The US psychologist Rogers played an important role in developing the person-centred approach. His work emphasised the therapeutic relationship and a person’s own experience.
Working in counselling and psychotherapy, Rogers developed an approach centred on personal experience and meaning. Attention to the relationship and the therapist’s attitudes also influenced education.
What does this figure represent in psychology?
He represents the importance of empathy, relationship and understanding a person’s own direction. His profile introduces the humanistic tradition.
Empathy, unconditional positive regard and congruence describe aspects of a person-centred relationship. Empathy does not require immediate agreement, and acceptance does not endorse every behaviour. These distinctions matter when connecting everyday understanding with professional practice.
Key concepts
Empathy: seeking to understand experience from another’s perspective. Congruence: consistency between inner experience and expression in a relationship.
A question for the reader
How does accepting a person’s experience differ from approving every action?
Selected works and publications
Links lead to original texts, institutional catalogues or publication records; not every link provides a free full text. Work titles are retained in their original or established language.
Reading in context
A person-centred approach does not simply mean withholding advice or approving every behaviour.
Sources
Source check: 16 October 2026. Institutional biographies and accessible bibliographic records were consulted; some records were checked through indexed summaries. Complete works were not all read. Concept connections and questions were written for this collection.