CRC study tool
CRC Theorist Bible
Every high-yield theorist for the CRC — with a memory trick, what they're known for, key concepts, and the "if you see this, think…" clue for case scenarios. Study, drill with flashcards, or test yourself with matching and scenario quizzes.
Free preview: 7 theorists
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Sigmund Freud
1856–1939
Memory trick
Father of Psychoanalysis
Most known for
Psychodynamic theory. Unconscious mind and early childhood experiences shape behavior.
Key concepts
- Unconscious mind
- Defense mechanisms
- Importance of insight
- Early childhood
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Unconscious conflicts, defense mechanisms, importance of insight.
Carl Rogers
1902–1987
Memory trick
ROGERS = Real, Open, Genuinely Empathic Relationship
Most known for
Person-Centered Therapy. Client-centered approach built on empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard.
Key concepts
- Unconditional Positive Regard
- Empathy
- Congruence
- Client-centered approach
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Warm, genuine, empathic counselor; client leads the process.
Aaron Beck
1921–2021
Memory trick
BECK = Bad Events Create Thoughts
Most known for
Cognitive Therapy / CBT founder. Cognitive distortions and automatic thoughts shape feelings and behavior.
Key concepts
- Cognitive distortions
- Automatic thoughts
- CBT founder
- Thoughts influence feelings
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Identifying and challenging cognitive distortions.
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Albert Ellis
1913–2007
Memory trick
ELLIS uses the ABC's to change irrational beliefs
Most known for
Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT). ABC model — activating event, beliefs, consequences.
Key concepts
- ABC Model
- Disputing irrational beliefs
- Rational thinking
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Disputing irrational 'should/must/have to' beliefs.
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B.F. Skinner
1904–1990
Memory trick
SKINNER = Stimulus → Response → Reinforcement
Most known for
Behaviorism. Operant conditioning — behavior is learned and shaped by reinforcement and punishment.
Key concepts
- Operant conditioning
- Reinforcement
- Punishment
- Behavior is learned
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Token economies, reinforcement schedules, behavior shaping.
Albert Bandura
1925–2021
Memory trick
BANDURA = Behavior is learned by modeling others
Most known for
Social Learning Theory. Observational learning, self-efficacy, and reciprocal determinism.
Key concepts
- Observational learning (modeling)
- Self-efficacy
- Reciprocal determinism
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Learning by watching others; confidence to perform a task.
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Viktor Frankl
1905–1997
Memory trick
FRANKL finds meaning even in suffering
Most known for
Logotherapy. Human will to meaning; freedom of choice even in suffering.
Key concepts
- Search for meaning
- Will to meaning
- Freedom of choice
- Logotherapy
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Client searching for meaning after loss, illness, or trauma.
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William Glasser
1925–2013
Memory trick
GLASSER = We choose all we do
Most known for
Choice Theory / Reality Therapy. Focus on basic needs and personal responsibility for behavior.
Key concepts
- Basic needs: Survival, Love/Belonging, Power, Freedom, Fun
- Reality Therapy
- Total Behavior (doing, thinking, feeling, physiology)
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Client asked what they're doing and whether it's getting what they want.
Ivan Pavlov
1849–1936
Memory trick
PAVLOV = Dogs, Bells & Drooling
Most known for
Classical conditioning. Association between stimulus and response.
Key concepts
- Classical conditioning
- Stimulus–response association
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Involuntary response paired with a neutral stimulus.
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John B. Watson
1878–1958
Memory trick
WATSON = Watch & Condition
Most known for
Behaviorism. Behavior is shaped by the environment; famous 'Little Albert' experiment.
Key concepts
- Environmental shaping
- Little Albert experiment
- Observable behavior
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Behavior explained entirely by environment and conditioning.
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Fritz Perls
1893–1970
Memory trick
PERLS = Present Moment Awareness
Most known for
Gestalt Therapy. Here-and-now focus with techniques like the empty chair and role-play.
Key concepts
- Here-and-now
- Empty chair / dialogue
- Responsibility & awareness
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Empty chair, unfinished business, present-moment awareness.
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Eric Berne
1910–1970
Memory trick
BERNE = Parent, Adult, Child (PAC)
Most known for
Transactional Analysis (TA). Ego states, transactions, and life scripts.
Key concepts
- Ego states: Parent/Adult/Child
- Transactions
- Life script
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Analyzing communication as Parent/Adult/Child interactions.
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Arnold Lazarus
1932–2013
Memory trick
LAZARUS = Thoughts + Emotions + Environment
Most known for
Multimodal Therapy. Interaction of person and environment; stress and coping theory.
Key concepts
- Multimodal approach (BASIC ID)
- Stress and coping
- Person–environment fit
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Assessing across behavior, affect, sensation, imagery, cognition, interpersonal, drugs/biology.
Donald Super
1910–1994
Memory trick
SUPER lives through life stages
Most known for
Life-Span, Life-Space Theory. Career development across life stages and life roles.
Key concepts
- Life stages
- Self-concept
- Life roles (student, worker, parent, etc.)
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Career decisions tied to life stage and current life roles.
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John Holland
1919–2008
Memory trick
HOLLAND loves six types: R-I-A-S-E-C
Most known for
RIASEC Theory. Six personality types matched to work environments (person–environment fit).
Key concepts
- Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional
- Person–environment fit
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Matching client's personality type to a compatible work environment.
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Linda Gottfredson
b. 1947
Memory trick
GOTTFREDSON narrows options, life happens
Most known for
Circumscription & Compromise. Career choice is narrowed by factors (often gender/social); compromise happens over time.
Key concepts
- Circumscription
- Compromise
- Gender & social influences
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Client ruled out career options early based on social expectations.
Murray Bowen
1913–1990
Memory trick
BOWEN = Differentiation in Families
Most known for
Family Systems Theory. Family as an emotional unit; differentiation of self.
Key concepts
- Differentiation of self
- Triangles
- Cutoff
- Multigenerational transmission
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Multigenerational patterns, triangles, emotional fusion in family.
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Virginia Satir
1916–1988
Memory trick
SATIR = People are 'Alive & Growing'
Most known for
Family Therapy. Communication styles, iceberg model, self-esteem and growth.
Key concepts
- Communication styles (placating, blaming, super reasonable, irrelevant)
- Iceberg Model
- Self-esteem & growth
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Family communication styles and self-esteem work.
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Salvador Minuchin
1921–2017
Memory trick
MINUCHIN = Structure Creates Change
Most known for
Structural Family Therapy. Family structure, boundaries, subsystems, and enactments.
Key concepts
- Family structure & boundaries
- Subsystems & hierarchies
- Enactments
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Reorganizing family hierarchy and boundaries.
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Jay Haley
1923–2007
Memory trick
HALEY uses Strategic Moves
Most known for
Strategic Family Therapy. Directives, paradoxes, and prescriptions.
Key concepts
- Paradoxes
- Prescriptions
- Direct & strategic interventions
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Counselor gives a specific directive or paradoxical task.
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Monica McGoldrick
b. 1943
Memory trick
McGOLDRICK = Life Cycle Transitions
Most known for
Life Cycle Family Therapy. Family life-cycle stages, transitions, and cultural context.
Key concepts
- Family life cycle stages
- Transitions & crises
- Contextual perspective
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Family stuck during a life-cycle transition (marriage, launch, aging).
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Ivan Boszormenyi-Nagy
1920–2007
Memory trick
B-Nagy = Balance of Give & Take
Most known for
Contextual Therapy. Relational ethics; balance of giving, receiving, and repaying.
Key concepts
- Relational ethics
- Give and take
- Loyalty & justice
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Fairness, invisible loyalties, and ledgers of give-and-take.
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Urie Bronfenbrenner
1917–2005
Memory trick
BRONFENBRENNER = Layers of Environment
Most known for
Ecological Systems Theory. Micro, meso, exo, macro, and chrono systems around the person.
Key concepts
- Ecological systems
- Person in environment
Exam clue — if you see this, think…
Understanding behavior through nested environmental layers.