ELIZA is a computer program designed to communicate like which psychologist?

• A. Carl Jung
• B. Sigmund Freud
• C. B. F. Skinner
• D. Carl Rogers

Answer: (D)

ELIZA is designed to communicate like Carl Rogers, whose client-centered therapy emphasizes empathetic, nonjudgmental listening and reflecting the client’s words back to them. The program uses simple pattern-matching to restate what the user says and to invite further reflection, mirroring a Rogerian counselor who guides conversation through supportive, non-directive responses. This approach helps the user feel understood and encourages self-exploration rather than interpretation or behavioral shaping.

In contrast, Freud is associated with psychoanalysis and interpreting unconscious impulses, Jung with analytic psychology and archetypes, and Skinner with behaviorism and observable-behavior-based reinforcement. ELIZA isn’t aiming to imitate those specific theories, but rather the empathetic, reflective style of Rogers.