Which of the following is the main assumption of Carl Rogers' form of psychotherapy?

• A. Mental disorders are best treated through medication and biological interventions.
• B. Behavior is primarily shaped by unconscious drives and childhood experiences.
• C. Learning occurs through associations between stimuli and responses.
• D. Individuals possess an inherent tendency toward self-actualization and personal growth.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the core principle of Carl Rogers' psychotherapy, which is known as person-centered therapy or client-centered therapy.
2. Understand that Rogers emphasized the importance of the individual's subjective experience and believed that people have an innate capacity for self-healing and growth.
3. Recognize that Rogers' main assumption is that individuals possess an inherent tendency toward self-actualization and personal growth, meaning they naturally strive to fulfill their potential.
4. Contrast this with other psychological approaches: biological interventions focus on medication, psychoanalysis emphasizes unconscious drives, and behaviorism centers on stimulus-response learning.
5. Conclude that the correct assumption aligns with the idea of self-actualization and personal growth, which is central to Rogers' humanistic approach.