Conditions of Worth

Conditions of worth exist in the person “when a self-experience . . . is either avoided or sought solely because the individual discriminates it as being less or more worthy of self-regard” (Rogers, 1959, p. 209). Simply put, this means that an individual may engage in or avoid a behavior based on whether it brings him or her acceptance or regard from another person. The approval of another may take on such importance that the person disregards whether or not the behavior enhances his or her self, growth, or well-being. Children are especially vulnerable to the conditions of worth communicated by their parents and significant others and therefore may value an experience or behavior “positively or negatively solely because of these conditions of worth which he has taken over from others, not because the experience enhances or fails to enhance his organism” (p. 209). Consequently, an experience “may be perceived as organismically satisfying, when in fact this is not true” (p. 210). For example, a young boy may be proud that he does not cry when he is hurt because he has learned from his parents that crying is weak while stifling one’s tears means he is a “big boy “If his parents did not disapprove of crying, the boy would likely cry when distressed and experience this behavior as natural and acceptable.

As primarily social beings, people are constantly concerned about how others see them and whether others like or approve of them. Consequently, most people engage in frequent “image management” to achieve other’s approval and whatever benefits accompany such approval. The dilemma of image management and approval seeking is that, even though people may avoid rejection by important others, they become alienated from themselves and fearful of being the natural, spontaneous selves they are. Internally, they know they are not being true to themselves and sometimes feel like frauds. However, this need to be liked and accepted can be so powerful as to compromise one’s values, integrity, and self. It does indeed take courage to be and reveal one’s true self since the risks of disapproval and rejection may be real. Conversely, living authentically and being true to one’s self brings the satisfaction that comes from standing somewhere for something. It enables one to live with integrity even though it may create discord with others. As Rogers has said, “it’s risky to live.”

Locus of Evaluation

Locus of evaluation refers to the source of the person’s values. If the source is internal, the person is “the center of the valuing process, the evidence being supplied by his own senses. When the locus of evaluation resides in others, their judgment as to the value of an . . . experience becomes the criterion of value for the individual” (Rogers, 1959, p. 209). Rogers viewed functioning from an internal locus of evaluation as a sign of autonomy or self-governance and mental health. When the locus of evaluation is external, the person relies on the views of others, especially persons of authority or other authoritative sources (e.g., Bible, parents) to guide their lives. People often prefer to allow others to guide or influence their choices in hope that it will lead to a sound and safe decision while removing full responsibility from themselves for their decisions (e.g., “I followed the advice of my therapist”). Conversely, making choices based on one’s own beliefs, values, and senses may be experienced as more risky but may also result in a feeling of pride, confidence, and self-reliance.