Final answer:
Carl Rogers's research indicates that a significant discrepancy between one's ideal self and actual self leads to a state of incongruence, which is associated with cognitive dissonance.
Step-by-step explanation:
Research by Carl Rogers found that when there is a great discrepancy between our ideal self and our actual selves, we experience a state known as incongruence. This state refers to the psychological condition where a person's real self is considerably different from their ideal self, which can lead to feelings of maladjustment. This state of mismatch between the two selves does not align with being more adaptable or highly self-aware, nor is it indicative of an identity crisis. Instead, it is more closely associated with the concept of cognitive dissonance, a term coined by psychologist Leon Festinger. Cognitive dissonance refers to the psychological discomfort that arises from conflicting behaviors, attitudes, or beliefs, particularly those that contradict one's positive self-image.