Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

Unconditional positive regard
refers to 
an attitude of acceptance and respect on the observer’s part, no matter what a person 
says or does. This acceptance, says Rogers, gives people the opportunity to evolve 
and grow both cognitively and emotionally and to develop more realistic self- 
concepts. You may have experienced the power of unconditional positive regard 
when you confi ded in someone, revealing embarrassing secrets because you knew 
the listener would still love and respect you even after hearing the worst about you 
(Snyder, 2002; Marshall, 2007). 
In contrast, conditional positive regard depends on your behavior. In such cases, 
others withdraw their love and acceptance if you do something of which they don’t 
approve. The result is a discrepancy between your true self and what others wish 
you would be, which leads to anxiety and frustration (see Figure 6). 
EVALUATING HUMANISTIC APPROACHES 
Although humanistic theories suggest the value of providing unconditional positive 
regard toward people, unconditional positive regard toward humanistic theories has 
been less forthcoming. The criticisms have centered on the diffi culty of verifying the 
basic assumptions of the approach as well as on the question of whether uncondi-
tional positive regard does, in fact, lead to greater personality adjustment. 
self-actualization 
A state of self- 
fulfi llment in which people realize 
their highest potential, each in a 
unique way.
unconditional positive regard 
An 
attitude of acceptance and respect on 
the part of an observer, no matter what 
a person says or does.
Others’ behavior 
toward you 
Your response 
Need for 
positive regard 
Unconditional 
positive regard 
Conditional 
positive regard 
Self- 
actualization 
Anxiety and 
frustration 
FIGURE 6 
According to the humanistic 
view of Carl Rogers, people have a basic 
need to be loved and respected. If you 
receive unconditional positive regard 
from others, you will develop a more 
realistic self-concept; but if the response 
is conditional, it may lead to anxiety and 
frustration.
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