Final answer:
A discrepancy exists when there is a difference between an actual situation and a desired situation. This gap informs various psychological theories like Rogers's incongruence and Festinger's cognitive dissonance.
Step-by-step explanation:
A discrepancy exists when there is a difference between an actual situation and a desired situation. This concept touches on various psychological theories that explore the gap between reality and our aspirations or expectations. For instance, in humanistic psychology, if our real-life experiences do not align with our ideal or actual selves, we encounter what Carl Rogers called incongruence, which can potentially lead to maladjustment. Furthermore, Leon Festinger's theory of cognitive dissonance delves into the discomfort we feel when our actions, attitudes, or beliefs contradict our positive self-image or desired situation. Thomas theorem posits that our subjective perception of reality profoundly influences our behaviors, reinforcing how our responses to discrepancies can have tangible effects on our lives.