Person-Situations Interactions

Introduction

            The person-situation interactions are based on the cognitive aspect of social interactions, resting on the assertion that human beings are intelligent creatures. In this assertion, it follows that the reactions that human being have are based on the response to the diverse progress of perceiving, learning, thinking, remembering as well as communication. In this paper, there is going to be an assessment of the person-centered and Maslow’s theories and how they support of therapy. The paper further assesses the elements that promote the effectiveness of the person-centered theory and the more preferred of the two theories.

Person-Centered Theory

The person-centered theory was developed by Carl Rogers in the 1940s. The theory is considered a divergence from a traditional model of therapists as experts and transitioned to the nondirective and empathetic approach that serves to empower, moreover, motivate the clients who are in the therapeutic process. The theory is based on the assertion by Rogers that each human desiring and moreover possesses the capacity to realize their potentials (Meyer, Stanley & Vandenberg, 2013). Further, the theory encompasses one being open to the experience, being trusting as well as trustworthy and being curious about the world, being compassionate as well as creative.

The psychological environment addressed in this theory is whereby an individual is free from any incidences that could pose a threat, whether physical or psychological. The environment could be realized when one is a relationship with an individual’s who is empathetic, possessing unconditional positive regard as well and is moreover congruent. It is, therefore, the therapists’ duty to ensure that they rid the individual of the state, with the focus being on the individual’s subjective assessment of the world (Morgan & Yoder, 2012). The overall desire by the proponent of the theory is in ensuring that the individual taking part in the therapy increases their self-worth, reducing their level of incongruence between the ideal and the actual self and aiding the individuals to become fully functioning individuals.

Maslow’s Need Theory

Maslow’s need theory follows the assertion that people exhibit a set of motivations systems that are not related rewards and unconscious desires. In this theory, it follows that individuals are motivated to realize the specific needs and that there are some needs that normally take precedence over the others. In this case, once one need has been fulfilled, an individual seeks to fulfill the next needs, in that sequence. The theory advocates for a hierarchical effect of the human needs, arguing that the needs human beings possess a hierarchy nature of needs (Anderson, 2014). The lower the needs of an individual in the hierarchy, the more these needs are fundamental and the more this individual will tend to abandon the needs that are higher in the hierarchy and focus on meeting those that are in the lower section.

The theory asserts that the needs fall into five categories of motivational needs and are depicted in the form of hierarchical levels that are within the pyramid. The five categories of the needs are divided into the basic needs as safety, physiological, and the growth needs like love and esteem that are instrumental to the realization of the human potential referring to self-actualization (Lester, 2013). According to the theory, the deficiency or basic needs tend to motivate people when they are not met and that the desire to meet such needs becomes stronger about the duration that goes while they are denied. One of the common elements between the Person-centered theory and Maslow’s need theory is the fact that human beings are capable and possess the desire to improve their current status. It is additionally evident that in both theories, the therapist has an active role in ensuring that the patient meets the desired state.

The main components of the person-centered theory that contribute to personality development include the assertion that there has to be the establishment of an effective relationship between the client and the therapist. The second component is that the client needs to be incongruent and vulnerable. It is additionally imperative that the therapist is congruent and self, in that he should be genuine, self-aware, being true to the therapeutic relationship (Morgan & Yoder, 2012). The therapist must exhibit empathy in the comprehension of the client’s experiences, acknowledging the emotional experiences while ensuring they do not get emotionally attached. It is imperative that the therapist considerers the client's experiences, whether positive or negative via neutral acceptance. The final condition is that the therapists’ communication ensures that the client perceives them with an unconditional positive regard and empathetic understanding.

I relate more to the person-centered theory as it offers a platform that promotes the interactions between the client and the therapist. In ensuring that the therapist observes all the conditions that are meant to ensure the client is aware of the fact that they are considered a priority, the likelihood of them eliciting a positive impact on the client are notable. It is in opposition to the Maslow’s theory whose proposition is the realization of the hierarchy of needs and the huge assortment of needs that different human being exhibit. 

Conclusion

            From the above assessment, the person-centered theory supports the establishment of an effective relationship between the client and the therapist bases on truthfulness and trust to promote the realization of the expected results. The client, on the other hand, has to have a genuine need, relating to their assessment of the world view. Maslow’s need theory on the hand lies on the premises that an individual operates on the platform of hierarchy level of needs whereby, it is imperative that one meets the lower level needs to meet the higher needs. In thesis case, it is not possible for one to reach self-actualization if they do not meet the lower level needs.

References

Anderson, A. (2014). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The Prairie Light Review,36(2), 7.

Lester, D. (2013). Measuring Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Psychological reports, 113(1).

Meyer, J. P., Stanley, L. J., & Vandenberg, R. J. (2013). A person-centered approach to the study of commitment. Human Resource Management Review, 23(2), 190-202.

Morgan, S., & Yoder, L. H. (2012). A concept analysis of person-centered care. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 30(1), 6-15.

Sherry Roberts is the author of this paper. A senior editor at Melda Research in nursing writing services if you need a similar paper you can place your order for non plagiarized essay for sale.