What is Carl Rogers's theory of personality primarily focused on?

Carl Rogers's theory of personality is primarily centered around the concept of self-theory. This approach emphasizes the importance of the self-concept, which includes how individuals perceive themselves and how they believe they are perceived by others. Rogers introduced concepts such as the ideal self and the real self, asserting that personal growth and self-fulfillment occur when there is a congruence between these two concepts.

In this context, self-theory serves as the foundation for understanding human behavior, personal development, and the therapeutic process. Rogers believed that for individuals to thrive and achieve their full potential, they must experience unconditional positive regard, empathy, and authenticity in their relationships. This framework helps explain how individuals navigate their own identities and seek meaningful experiences in alignment with their self-concept.

While self-esteem, self-actualization, and behaviorism are all relevant psychological concepts, they do not encapsulate Rogers's focus on the self-concept and its role in personal development as effectively as self-theory. Self-esteem relates more to the valuation one places on oneself, self-actualization pertains to the realization of one’s potential, and behaviorism concentrates on observable behaviors rather than internal processes. Hence, self-theory is the most appropriate answer regarding Rogers's contributions to