Are self-realization and socialization compatible? Reevaluating Rogers humanistic approach

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to reevaluate Rogers’ humanistic approach from the perspective of human development in view of Vázquez Arellano & García Rodríguez (2021) critical analysis which is examined firstly rejecting several of its objections for absurd or arbitrary, and agreeing with others, although no with its tone and wording. I evaluate afterwards the critical approaches from a cognitive, practical-evaluative, and attitudinal perspective concluding that although non dogmatic criticism is desirable in intellectual analysis and life, taken to the limit becomes a destructive and discouraging devise due to its negativism, lack of modulation, and aversion to action and empirical testing. It is then identified individualism, elitism, and naivety as shortcomings of Rogerian approach posing alternatives which complement it by adding confrontation and empowerment strategies to those of cooperation and empathy, and exogenous models of human development which underlie social interactions, roles, and supplies. I finally question Rogerian unconditional acceptance showing the tension between that mandate and responsible socialization which requires conditioning approval, love and other social rewards to the interests and objectives of the community.