Meaning & use
congruence psychology
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Meanings
noununcountabletechnical
In humanistic psychology, the state of being genuine and consistent between one's inner feelings and outward behavior, especially in therapy.
Grammar: Uncountable; used with 'the' or without an article: 'Congruence psychology emphasizes authenticity.'
Patterns
- congruence psychology emphasizes something
- the role of congruence psychology
Carl Rogers believed that congruence psychology was essential for a good therapist-client relationship.
In congruence psychology, a therapist must be honest and not hide behind a professional mask.
Students of congruence psychology learn how to align their words with their true feelings.
noununcountabletechnical
The broader psychological principle that mental well-being depends on harmony between one's real self and one's ideal self.
Grammar: Often used in phrases like 'a sense of congruence' or 'achieve congruence'.
Patterns
- achieve congruence
- a sense of congruence
Many self-help books draw on congruence psychology to encourage people to accept themselves.
Therapists assess a client's level of congruence psychology by observing how openly they express emotions.
Her research focuses on congruence psychology and its effect on personal growth.
Common combinations
- congruence psychology emphasizes authenticity
- Congruence psychology emphasizes authenticity in the therapeutic relationship.
- a sense of congruence
- He developed a stronger sense of congruence after months of therapy.
- achieve congruence
- Clients work to achieve congruence between their values and their actions.
- therapist's congruence
- The therapist's congruence helped the client feel safe and understood.
Synonyms and how they differ
- authenticity
- A broader term meaning the quality of being real or true; congruence psychology is a specific technical concept within psychology.
- genuineness
- Similar in meaning but less technical; it can describe anyone's behavior, not just a psychological state.
Opposites
Word family
- congruent adjective
- In agreement or harmony; often used in psychology to describe a person whose feelings and actions match.
- incongruence noun
- The state of not matching or being in conflict, especially between inner feelings and outer expression.
Commonly confused: congruence psychology or congruence (general)?
congruence psychology vs congruence (general)
In everyday English, 'congruence' simply means agreement or consistency, e.g., 'congruence between two reports.' The psychology term is more specific.
Practice
In congruence psychology, what is the main focus?
Choose one answer.
Congruence psychology, from humanistic psychology, emphasizes authenticity and the alignment of inner experience with outer expression. Option 1 describes linguistics, option 3 is Freudian psychoanalysis, and option 4 is psychometrics.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “congruence psychology”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.