According To Carl Rogers, Anxiety And Neurotic Behaviors Occur When Conditions Of Worth Are Not Met
American psychologist, Carl Rogers, proposed the concept of ‘conditions of worth’ in the 1950s to explain why anxiety and neurotic behaviors occur. The basic premise of conditions of worth is that human worth and dignity lie in the approval earned from significant people in our lives, such as parents, teachers, and friends. Rogers argued that this approval is given only when certain conditions are met, such as achieving certain grades, playing certain sports, or being a certain weight.
When an individual perceives that they cannot meet the expectations set by those in their lives, they may develop feelings of anxiety or worthlessness. This leads to increased levels of neuroticism and anxiety as they struggle to meet these conditions of worth. This struggle can often lead to feelings of shame or humiliation, as well as difficulty forming healthy relationships with those around them.
The solution proposed by Rogers is for individuals to recognize that their worth is not determined by the approval of those around them. He argued that by understanding their unconditional value as a person, individuals can free themselves from feeling the need to meet external standards of worth. This can lead to decreased levels of anxiety and neurotic behavior as they can learn to take responsibility for their own actions, rather than living in fear of the disapproval of others.
In summary, according to Carl Rogers, anxiety and neurotic behaviors occur when individuals are unable to meet the conditions of worth set by those in their lives. By recognizing their own worth, individuals are empowered to take ownership of their life and free themselves from feelings of worthlessness.