TENGKU ALIF MUKHLIS BIN TENGKU EZANI

PISMP TESL C SEM 7

EDU3073
Theories of Counselling

View of Human Nature from Different Theories

PERSON CENTERED THERAPHY~by Carl Rogers

Rogers believed that people are essentially good and that human nature
possesses a basic sense of trust in the client's ability to move forwards in a constructive
manner if conditions conducive to fostering growth are present. Furthermore, he
perceived human nature as a product of environmental and societal factors as well as
heredity, early development, and an innate self-drive striving for growth throughout life.
In short, Rogers, and the humanistic view in general, sees human nature in an
extremely positive light.This positive view of human nature greatly directs the practice of
Rogers' person-centered therapy. Because of this idea that a person has an innate,
inherent capacity to escape the wrath of maladjustment and to enter the realm of
psychological health, the primary responsibility is directed at the "client." Therefore,
person-centered therapy is rooted in the client's capacity for awareness and his or her
ability to make decisions (Corey, 1986). And, by perceiving individuals/clients in this
positive light, the focus is shifted to what is right with the person not on what is wrong
with him or her.

BEHAVIORAL THERAPHY
Behavior modification is an approach to assessment, evaluation, and behavior
change that focuses on the development of adaptive, pro-social behaviors and the
decrease of maladaptive behavior in daily living. Behavior modification is used by
therapists and paraprofessional workers to help individuals improve some aspect of
daily life. In modern behavior therapy, the current view is that the person is the producer
and the product of their environment. Behavior therapy aims to increase peoples skills
so that they have more options for responding. By overcoming debilitating behaviors
that restrict choices, people are freer to select from possibilities that were not available
earlier. Thus, as behavior therapy is typically applied, it will increase individual freedom.
Human nature, from a cognitive behavioral perspective, defines individuals as having
the potential for rational and irrational thinking. This thinking result in the behavior that
is often identified as the problem or issue when, in reality, it is the symptom of faulty
thinking. People's personalities come from these experiences in which they are involved
in critical learning, identification of appropriate (and inappropriate) thoughts and
feelings, and imitation of these behaviors, thoughts, and feelings. Behavioral theraphy
also view human nature to possess the capacity to change our cognitive, emotive and
behavioral process.