
Sigmund Freud is credited with designing the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology. However, other sources claim that Carl Rogers was the first to do so, with his development of Person-Centered Therapy. This theory emphasised the individual's subjective experience and their capacity for self-actualisation. Although not listed as an option in the sources, William Sheldon is also associated with constitutional psychology, having proposed that body types could be associated with certain personality characteristics.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Carl Rogers |
| Known for | Person-Centered Therapy |
| Theory | Every individual has the innate potential for personal growth and self-actualization |
| Therapy style | Creating an environment where clients feel accepted and understood |
| Therapeutic features | Unconditional Positive Regard, empathy, and genuineness |
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What You'll Learn
- Carl Rogers designed the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology
- It is known as Person-Centered Therapy
- Rogers believed that people have an innate drive towards personal growth
- He introduced essential therapeutic features like empathy and genuineness
- His therapy contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy

Carl Rogers designed the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology
Rogers' therapy emphasised creating an environment where clients feel accepted and understood, which he believed was crucial for their emotional healing. This approach contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which often involves a more directive stance from the therapist.
Rogers introduced three key features that he felt were essential for effective therapy: Unconditional Positive Regard, where the therapist accepts the client without conditions or judgments; Empathy, where the therapist understands the client's feelings; and Genuineness, where the therapist is honest and authentic.
Rogers' system of constitutional psychology is fundamentally linked to the work of William Sheldon, who proposed that body types could be associated with certain personality characteristics. Sheldon classified people into three primary body types: Endomorph, Mesomorph, and Ectomorph, each with their own set of associated traits.
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It is known as Person-Centered Therapy
Carl Rogers designed the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology, known as Person-Centred Therapy. Rogers was a prominent American psychologist who developed this approach during the mid-20th century.
Rogers believed that every individual has the innate potential for personal growth and self-actualisation. He emphasised the importance of the individual's subjective experience and their capacity for self-actualisation. He believed that people have an innate drive towards personal growth and that psychological health depends on a congruence between one's self-concept and their actual experiences.
Rogers introduced three key features that he felt were essential for effective therapy: Unconditional Positive Regard, Empathy, and Genuineness. In his therapy, Rogers emphasised creating an environment where clients feel accepted and understood, which he believed was crucial for their emotional healing. This approach contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which often involves a more directive stance from the therapist.
Rogers' Person-Centred Therapy has had a significant impact on the field of psychology and counselling. It has influenced the development of other therapeutic approaches and has been widely adopted in clinical practice. His emphasis on the individual's potential for growth and self-actualisation has helped shape the way therapists work with clients to promote emotional well-being and personal development.

Rogers believed that people have an innate drive towards personal growth
Carl Rogers designed the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology, known as Person-Centred Therapy. Rogers believed that people have an innate drive towards personal growth and that psychological health depends on a congruence between one's self-concept and their actual experiences. He introduced three key features that he felt were essential for effective therapy: Unconditional Positive Regard, Empathy, and Genuineness.
Rogers' Person-Centred Therapy emphasises the importance of the individual's subjective experience and their capacity for self-actualisation. This approach contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which often involves a more directive stance from the therapist. Instead, Rogers believed that every individual has the innate potential for personal growth and self-actualisation. In his therapy, Rogers emphasised creating an environment where clients feel accepted and understood, which he believed was crucial for their emotional healing.
Rogers' theory is fundamentally linked to the work of William Sheldon, who proposed that body types could be associated with certain personality characteristics. Sheldon classified people into three primary body types: Endomorph, Mesomorph, and Ectomorph. Each body type was associated with specific personality traits, such as sociability, energy, and confidence.
While Sigmund Freud is often credited with designing the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology, presenting a theory of personality and describing psychosexual stages of development, it is important to note that Rogers' work built upon and expanded these early theories. Freud's three components of personality and psychosexual stages of development laid the groundwork for Rogers' more individual-focused approach, which recognised the potential for personal growth and self-actualisation within each person.
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He introduced essential therapeutic features like empathy and genuineness
Carl Rogers designed the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology, known as Person-Centered Therapy. He introduced essential therapeutic features like empathy and genuineness, believing that people have an innate drive towards personal growth and that psychological health depends on a congruence between one's self-concept and their actual experiences.
Rogers' therapy emphasised creating an environment where clients feel accepted and understood, which he believed was crucial for their emotional healing. This approach contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which often involves a more directive stance from the therapist.
Rogers introduced three key features that he felt were essential for effective therapy: Unconditional Positive Regard, where the therapist accepts the client without conditions or judgments; Empathy, where the therapist understands the client's feelings; and Genuineness, where the therapist is honest and open with the client.
Rogers' Person-Centered Therapy is a significant contribution to the field of psychology, offering a unique perspective on the therapeutic process and the importance of the client's subjective experience.

His therapy contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy
Sigmund Freud is credited with designing the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology, presenting a theory of personality and describing psychosexual stages of development. However, Carl Rogers is also credited with developing the first comprehensive system of constitutional psychology, known as Person-Centered Therapy.
Rogers' therapy contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which often involves a more directive stance from the therapist. Instead, Rogers emphasised creating an environment where clients feel accepted and understood, which he believed was crucial for their emotional healing. He introduced three key features that he felt were essential for effective therapy: unconditional positive regard, empathy, and genuineness.
Rogers' Person-Centered Therapy is based on the belief that every individual has the innate potential for personal growth and self-actualisation. He emphasised the importance of the individual's subjective experience and their capacity for self-actualisation. Rogers believed that people have an innate drive towards personal growth and that psychological health depends on a congruence between one's self-concept and their actual experiences.
Frequently asked questions
Carl Rogers.
Person-Centered Therapy.
Person-Centered Therapy emphasises the individual's potential for growth and their capacity for self-actualisation. Rogers believed that people have an innate drive towards personal growth and that psychological health depends on a congruence between one's self-concept and their actual experiences.
Unconditional positive regard, empathy and genuineness.
No. Person-Centered Therapy contrasts with traditional psychoanalytic therapy, which often involves a more directive stance from the therapist.

























