The Phenomenal Field and the Symbolic Human Interface

“Textile interfacing structure” by CORE-Materials is licensed under CC BY 2.0

The Phenomenal Field and the Symbolic Human Interface

Carl Rogers’ phenomenological theory complements DNA-Self Theory by providing a relational framework for reclaiming pruned natural DNA-Originated potentials, but assumes greater accessibility to innate growth drivers than childhood chronic trauma may allow most people to access. wikipedia

In this article, we will contrast Rogers’ approach with the concepts of DNA-Self Theory, to see if we able to fill some gaps.

Rogers’ Phenomenological Core

Rogers described personality as being shaped by the phenomenal field; a subjective experience where the actualizing tendency drives organismic growth toward congruence between self-concept and reality. The organismic valuing process (OVP) intuitively guides adaptive choices, distorted by conditions of worth from conditional regard, leading to incongruence. Person-Centred Therapy’s core conditions (empathy, congruence, unconditional positive regard) facilitate self-actualization into a fully functioning person. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih

Alignments with DNA-Self Theory

Both posit an innate directional force: Rogers’ actualizing tendency parallels the DNA-Self’s genetically encoded blueprint for potentials like agency and creativity. Pruning via invalidation mirrors conditions of worth, creating masks that block OVP – Rogers’ incongruence, as Layer 1/2 defences suppressing authentic impulses. Phenomenology supports DNA-Self mapping: The individuals subjective experience reveals pruned schemas, hidden by coping behaviours held as “mask” overlays to the schema information as survival adaptations. counsellingtutor

Synergies in Practice

Rogers’ conditions create relational safety for DNA-Self re-emergence, validating somatic cues (OVP) over societal schemas. Integrated Genomic Schema Therapy integrates this: Person-centred attunement amplifies quantum-entangled potentials, turning phenomenology into genomic reclamation. OVP becomes the felt-sense guidepost for trusting DNA-Self over holding onto habitual, “safe”, masking and coping behaviours. revistaft

Core Tensions

Rogers assumes actualizing tendency remains structurally intact and responsive to conditions, overlooking the impact of core-self’s pruning-based atrophy (e.g., undeveloped neural/motor networks). DNA-Self counters: Chronic dissociation requires reconstruction, not just facilitation, and that this aspect of Rogers’ theory risks subtle mask reinforcement without explicit

IGST Solution

Integrated Genomic Schema Therapy hybridizes: Rogers’ relational vessel and adds DNA-Self’s Theory’s genomic specific understanding into that mix. Allowing Rogers’ methods can be used to stabilize via core conditions, then allow for the OVP to be scaffolded in order to to re-embody pruned traits, achieving congruence as species-level wholeness. sciencedirect

The Human Symbolic Interface

Our suggestion, as part of the Theory of DNA-Self, is that the the phenomenal field is actually an intuitive Human Symbolic Interface, which tries to map symbols from the active perception of the mind of the awareness, to many autonomic, reflexive and even metacognitive self-regulatory functions.

It suggests that part of the organisms self-exploration involves correctly mapping those symbols, and as they are effectively in Jung’s shadow, in the unexplored regions of the unconscious mind, and that they need to be exercised to be fully understood and embodied.

Rogers’ phenomenal field is the subjective, ever-shifting perceptual reality unique to each person; their organized “world” of sensations, emotions, thoughts, and relations they experience as center. counsellingtutor

The Fear Factor

Expansion into the shadow, via this symbolic interface can feel terrifying because those unmapped and largely unknown shadow schemas, hidden “thought-forms” are there, because, as a child, we were forced to become scared to explore that area, and we effectively hung a “Danger, no entry” sign on that door (pruned DNA-Self symbols). This floods the symbolic interface with incongruence, evoking existential annihilation or significant loss of control. Threat containment within the Rogerian therapeutic relationship, helps facilitate the individuals ability to look into those scary places, with support. frontiersin

Mapping the Phenomenal Field

To keep things simple, I often think of a Schema, as a Venn diagram. However, I think of this as multidimensional, and the Venn circle, is a sphere in my model.

This multidimensional Venn-sphere model for schemas is elegant and apt, schemas can be seen seen as overlapping hyperspheres where intersections help show conditional relationships between triggers and responses (e.g., Defectiveness ∩ Abandonment = Vulnerable Child).

This conceptual understanding also resonates with a concept called Life-Space Mapping, which uses concentric regions. We can envisage our view of the Human Symbolic Interface to overlap and integrate with the LSM theoretical design. biomedres

Schema as Venn-Hyperspheres

Standard schema visuals: Circular mode maps (Young) show overlaps—needs unmet in centres, modes radiating/intersecting. Multidimensional extension: thepsychcollective

Spheres: Core-Self (Authenticity versus unmet needs, e.g., Autonomy, and coping strategies). schemainstitute
Overlaps: Multi-schema triggers and behaviours (e.g., Mistrust ⊙ Emotional Deprivation = Detached Protector). pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih
Hypersphere: Non-Euclidean model (temporal/emotional axes) allows for a dynamic symbolic Interface. ebsco

Empirical: The network models treat schemas as nodes/edges, Venn-like. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih

The Phenomenal Field and the Symbolic Human Interface

Published by Barra on 27 November 202527 November 2025