Which concept is the discrepancy between self-concept and ideal self-concept?

• A. Internal Source of Evaluation
• B. Personal Power
• C. Incongruence
• D. Genuineness

Answer: (C)

Incongruence describes the mismatch between how a person sees themselves (self-concept) and who they would like to be (ideal self-concept). In Carl Rogers’ person-centered framework, when there’s a significant gap between these two, distress arises because experiences don’t fit with the self-image. This tension can show up as anxiety, dissatisfaction, or defensiveness, since parts of reality feel at odds with who the person believes they are or should be.

That’s why this term is the best fit for the question. The other ideas refer to different aspects: where evaluation comes from (internal vs external), a sense of personal empowerment, or the therapist’s genuineness, but none specifically capture the idea of a gap between self-perception and aspirational self-perception. For instance, a person may feel authentic and genuine without there being a gap, or they may have strong internal evaluation without describing a mismatch between self and ideal self. An example is someone who sees themselves as capable but strives to meet an unrealistic ideal, producing discomfort that therapies aim to reduce by promoting authenticity and alignment between experiences, self-concept, and goals.