Question

Carl Rogers believes that most people consider themselves worthless and unlovable. Reinhold Niebuhr, on the other hand, claims that most people suffer from excessive self-love and self-pride. What do you consider to be the strengths and weaknesses of each of these contrasting positions? Use psychological research findings to support your arguments.

Answer 1

On the one hand, Carl Rogers states that people generally consider themselves to be worthless and unlovable. This position has some strength, as it addreses the fact that many people around the world are unhappy with themselves and their lives. Many believe that they are not capable of achieving the things they desire, and that others will never help them, love them or appreciate them. Many people are in fact driven to achieve success in order to hide or compensate for these insecurities. An important example of this is Christianity, which states that all men are sinners.

On the other hand, it is also true that most people suffer from excessive pride and self-love. In fact, this is the theory that is most supported by evidence. Many people seem to think of themselves as better than their peers. This seems to be the case in a variety of situations, such as among students and workers. Psychological research suggests that this belief is to some extent necessary in order for people to remain positive and hopeful about life and the future.