Definition of Congruence
What is Congruence in Psychology?
Congruence in psychology refers to the consistency between an individual’s perceived self (how they see themselves) and their ideal self (how they would like to be). The concept originates from Carl Rogers’ Humanistic Approach, which emphasises the importance of self-concept in personal development and mental well-being.
When a person experiences congruence, their real-life experiences align closely with their ideal self, leading to greater self-acceptance and well-being. On the other hand, incongruence occurs when there is a significant gap between these two selves, often leading to anxiety, low self-esteem, and psychological distress.
Best Definition of Congruence
In the context of psychology, congruence is the alignment between a person’s self-concept and their ideal self, contributing to mental health and self-fulfilment. When an individual perceives themselves as being close to their ideal self, they are likely to feel a sense of harmony, confidence, and self-worth.
Congruence vs. Incongruence
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Congruence: When a person’s self-image and ideal self are well-matched, leading to psychological well-being.
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Incongruence: When there is a significant gap between the self-image and the ideal self, leading to negative emotions such as depression and anxiety.
Examples of Congruence in Everyday Life
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A confident student who sees themselves as intelligent and receives grades that reinforce this belief.
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An athlete who believes in their ability and performs well in competitions, matching their self-concept with reality.
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A musician who dreams of becoming a performer and takes consistent steps toward achieving this goal, experiencing alignment between their aspirations and actions.
Definition of Congruence in Education
In education, congruence refers to the alignment between a student’s self-perception, their learning experiences, and academic expectations. When students feel competent and their achievements reflect their efforts, they are more likely to experience congruence, leading to higher motivation and self-esteem.
For example, a student who perceives themselves as capable in mathematics and consistently performs well in maths exams experiences congruence. However, if a student believes they are bad at a subject despite achieving high grades, they experience incongruence, which can lead to stress and self-doubt.
How to Achieve Congruence?
Achieving congruence involves closing the gap between one’s perceived self and ideal self. This can be done through:
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Unconditional Positive Regard: Receiving acceptance and support from others regardless of one’s flaws.
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Realistic Goal Setting: Adjusting expectations to be more achievable and self-affirming.
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Therapeutic Interventions: Engaging in counselling or therapy, such as Person-Centred Therapy (PCT), to develop a more positive self-concept.
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Self-Reflection & Acceptance: Recognising strengths and accepting weaknesses without self-judgment.
AQA Exam Question & Model Answer
Question:
Dominic is unhappy and lacks confidence. He also thinks he is not very good-looking and not very clever. He goes to a counselling therapist for help. The therapist suggests that Dominic lacks congruence.
Outline what is meant by ‘congruence’. Explain one way in which Dominic might achieve ‘congruence’. (4 marks)
Answer:
Congruence refers to the alignment between an individual’s perceived self (how they see themselves) and their ideal self (how they would like to be). When these two aspects match closely, a person experiences psychological well-being (AO1).
Dominic lacks congruence because he sees himself as unattractive and unintelligent, which does not align with his ideal self (AO2). To achieve congruence, he could receive unconditional positive regard from his therapist, helping him develop a more positive and realistic self-concept. This would allow him to accept himself as he is, reducing the gap between his perceived and ideal self (AO2).