Conditions of Worth

Conditions of Worth

Conditions of Worth is a fundamental concept in Carl Rogers‘ theory of Person-Centred Therapy. It refers to the conditions that individuals perceive as necessary to receive love, approval, and acceptance from others, particularly significant figures in their lives, such as parents, teachers, and peers. Rogers posited that these conditions can significantly influence a person’s self-esteem and self-worth.

Key Aspects of Conditions of Worth

• Definition: Conditions of worth are the standards or criteria that individuals feel they must meet to be valued by others. These can be explicit or implicit and often stem from societal expectations or familial pressures (Rogers, 1959).
• Impact on Self-Concept: Rogers believed that when individuals internalize these conditions, they may develop a distorted self-concept. They might feel that their worth is contingent upon meeting external expectations rather than recognizing their inherent value as human beings.
• Development of Self-Worth: According to Rogers, if a child’s conditions of worth are met, they are likely to receive love and develop a healthy self-regard. Conversely, unmet conditions can lead to feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem (Simply Psychology, 2023).
• In more recent years, Attachment Theory has become a dominant supporting theory, suggesting the exact processes and outcomes of those early child to care giver interactions, and the subsequent personality distortions that can progress into personality disorders and more serious mental health problems.
• authenticity vs. Inauthenticity: Individuals may struggle between being true to themselves and conforming to the conditions imposed by others. This conflict can lead to inauthentic living, where one’s actions and feelings are not aligned with their true self.
• Therapeutic Implications: In therapy, Rogers emphasized the importance of providing an environment free from conditions of worth. This allows clients to explore their feelings and experiences without fear of judgment, fostering personal growth and self-acceptance.

Exploring Values and Introjected Values

The concept of introjected values is mentioned by Carl Rogers’ in his 19 propositions on the development of personality. Number 10 says (Rogers, 1951: 498):

The values attached to experiences, and the values which are a part of the self structure, in some instances are values experienced directly by the organism, and in some instances are values introjected or taken over from others, but perceived in distorted fashion, as if they had been experienced directly.

Today we understand our personal values and introjected values as follows:

• Values: These are the beliefs and principles that guide an individual’s behaviour and decision-making. They can be intrinsic, reflecting personal beliefs, or extrinsic, shaped by societal norms and expectations.
• A problem with having beliefs, is that often we assume information that we are given is a fact. Especially when an authority figure, such as a teacher gives us that information as a definitive statement, ( “It WILL be hot, It MIGHT be hot”). The result of this may be that later in life, after assuming a childhood learnt “fact”, was a fact for many years, they may find this has prevented them from exploring aspects of the environment that might have made them happier, or been more successful in relationships. In short, most of us are not told that in reality, very few facts are actually Objective and independently verifiable by most of the people that use them.
• Another problem, is the tendency of bad experiences and relationships to result in a need to avoid that experience, which may then result in cognitive Bias. Mean we have rendered ourselves of seeing certain interactions transparently, and without filtering or avoiding the full picture that others might see.
• Introjected Values: Is the term Carl Rogers used to categorise these and other externally acquired values, which are often the cause of incongruence within the individuals thinking and behaviour. These values that individuals adopt from external sources, such as parents or society, often without critical examination, can mean that those that placed those values within us, have the power to manipulate them at will. Narcissists, for example know exactly how to spot a person with spiritual bypass, or are people-pleasers, and add into the mix, their own introjections of false assumptions in order to help their victims isolate themselves from all sources of help and outside support. Rogers noted that when individuals internalize these introjected values as conditions of worth, it can lead to a conflict between their true self and the projected self they present to the world. This process is often equated to Masking, but the problem itself is the individuals inability to tell their self-concept from their mask.

Conclusion

Understanding Conditions of Worth, along with the concepts of values and introjected values, is crucial for counselling students. It highlights the impact of external validation on self-esteem and personal development. By recognizing these conditions, future therapists can better support their clients in achieving a more authentic and fulfilling life.

Rogers C.R., 1959: A Theory of Therapy, Personality, and Interpersonal Relationships: As Developed in the Client-Centered Framework

Rogers C.R., 1961: On Becoming a Person: A therapist’s View of Psychotherapy

Rogers, C.R., 1951. Perceptual reorganization in client-centered therapy.