Self Actualization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Self Actualization - Essay ExampleSelf-actualization is a psychological concept accredited to Kurt Goldstein, defined as an instinctive human need to make the nearly of their abilities and to strive for fulfillment of their potential. In Maslows expansion of Goldsteins concept, an individual reaches self-actualization when they feel assured of their physiological security, affiliations and affections, and their respect. In Maslows terms, What a man can be, he must be (Maslow, 1943).Self-actualization can be described in layspeech as self-fulfillment. Though the term carries various implications and nuances depending upon the academic, its essence is of happiness and fulfillment. Paxton and Turner paraphrase ShostromOverall, Shostroms theory of self-actualization is one that emphasizes positive degree mental health and psychological adjustmentActualizing persons are viewed by Shostrom as individuals who are willing to take the insecurity of being themselves and to respond according to how they feel in the present, rather than adhering to rigid patterns of the past or to obstinate goals of the future. Two concepts that are central to Shostroms theory of actualizing are inner-direction and time competence. Shostrom describes actualizing persons as being inner-directed, meaning that the demand for their behavior comes from within, not from external influences. The importance of the concept of inner-direction to Shostroms theory is illustrated by the fact that he describes inner-direction as a goal of self-actualizing and a central tenet Time competence, another characteristic of actualizing individuals, refers to the ability to pull through in the here-and-now rather than predominantly living in the past and/or in the future (66).Self-actualization is well related to identity-the concept of fulfillment grows from ones perception of self. The reflected self is composed of three elements The self-concept (SC)-a persons perception of himself or herself the perc eived Self-Concept (PSC)-a persons perception of others evaluations of him or her and the Social Self-Concept (SSC)-others actual evaluations of a person (Schafer et al, 168).The well-known Chilean sociologist Max-Neef has inextricably order components of fulfillment and actualization in his matrix of needs-satisfactions. According to Max-Neef, people and communities reach fulfillment when they have get at to the following Basic subsistence (food, shelter, work), Protection (rights, family, security), Affect (friends, family, partners or spouses), Understanding (education, policy, and communications which orient one in their social context), Participation (rights, responsibilities, and obligations), Recreation (games, shows, parties, leisure), Creation (abilities, talents, methods, and skills), Identity (symbols, language, customs, sexuality, values, and roles), and Freedom (civil rights and equality) (Max-Neef, 1986).FundamentalHuman Needs universe(qualities)Having(things)Doing(a ctions)Interacting(settings)subsistencephysical and mental healthfood, shelterworkfeed, clothe,rest, workliving environment,social setting suretycare,adaptabilityautonomysocial security,health systems,workco-operate,plan, take care of, helpsocial