Chapter 11: The Self Actualisation Theory Of Abraham Maslow Flashcards
What is self actualisation
The motive to realise all true potential.
Explain the hierarchy of needs according to Maslow
A hierarchy represents successive stages of development from lower to higher needs. From need gratification towards self actualisation.
They include from greatest urgency \+physiological needs \+Safety need \+Afflliation and love needs \+Self esteem needs \+Self actualisation or self realization needs.
Deficiency motives: refer to the first 4 levels of the hierarchy and are directly related to the basic needs for survival. Here cognitive abilities are applied negatively as the objective is merely to evade unpleasant circumstances and survival.
Growth motives: actualisation needs which includes higher level needs like truth beauty and knowledge.
In line with deficiency motives discuss the 4 levels on needs of hierarchy of needs
Physiological needs are Survival needs like hunger thirst sleep stimulation sexual gratification etc. They are usually homeostasis and restores equilibrium in the body.
Safety needs are those concerning security stability protection structure law order and freedom.
Need for affiliation and love.
The need for self esteem: refers to the need to evaluate oneself positively. It then subdivides into
A set of needs based on a person’s achievement related to sense of efficiency capability Achievements confidence and independence
A set of needs related to the esteem of others including social standing honour importance dignity and appreciation.
In line with growth motives discuss the needs of self actualisation or self realization
It is the function on the highest level of hierarchy that needs to be fulfilled to ensure maximal growth and includes 17 growth motives.
Meta needs are believed to be innate basic and important to growth. They are truth justice meaningfulness beauty order simplicity perfection wholeness completion totality uniqueness aliveness goodness autonomy humour and effortfulness.
Self actualisation is the process of becoming all one is capable of being making use of all ones ability talents potential.
What factors prevent the attainment of self actualisation
Lack of self knowledge and self insight: person is unaware of own needs and depends on external directives.
Obstructions: prevent person from actualising full self and mentions influence of ungratified safety need. To realise potential one must have the courage to take risks and experiment new ideas.
Jonah complex running away from ones talents and responsibilities. People feel inferior in presence of great people instead of learning to love higher values they stand for thereby making possible to love them in ourselves too.
We suspect ourselves of having a superiority complex and make no attempt to fulfill potential. We’re afraid of over estimating ourselves.
Lack of integration: within the individual with regards to opposing needs is another cause of unfulfilled potential.
What is humanism
Where humans are seen as beings with worth and dignity who as a whole integrated person’s actively and consciously strive towards the actualisation of potential.
How does one achieve self actualisation
Individuals must regularly satisfy needs of lower 4 levels
Overcome restrictions of environment
can meet defiency needs
Accepted responsibility of self actualisation and becoming the best they can be.
What are the characteristics of self actualisers
Accurate observations of reality: See past barriers that people erect and recognise reality for what it is. Don’t fear reality nor fear the unknown.
Self acceptance accepting others and human nature:
Spontaneity simplicity and naturalness: act in unconventional spontaneous ways when revealing thoughts and emotions.
Task involvement: task not aimed primarily at satisfaction of own basic needs but rather a means of serving a greater cause.
Exclusiveness and need for privacy: less dependent on support warmth and reassurance of others
Autonomy and being independent of culture and environment: they function independently of physical and social environment where development and growth depends not on external rewards but own potential
Consistent renewal of appreciation:
Peak experience: refers to moments of intense excitement and tension but also peace bliss serenity.
Social feeling: concern for humankind.
Interpersonal relationships: quality more important than quantity.
Democratic character structure: don’t descriminate on grounds of class race colour beliefs.
Discrimination between means and goals and level between good and evil: have strong ethical and moral codes.
A philosophical benevolent sense of humour:
Creativity: ability to look at life like a child. The ability to see more deeply and accurately and to act more spontaneously naturally humanely.
Resistance against enculturation: abide by own rules rather than those of community.
Regarding psychopathology how does Maslow define it
He refers to human limitations due to the fact that a person who hasn’t actualised their potential and possibility is seen as functioning on a limited level
