Theorist Kurt Goldstein was the first to coin the term “self-actualization” when he identified the ultimate motive to realize one’s own potential. This was the dominant motive or driving life force in that all other motives were merely products of it. However the phrase didn’t receive much light until Abraham Maslow later highlighted and expanded this idea in his hierarchy of needs theory, with self-actualization at the top. The term has become quite common in present day psychology with regard to the humanistic approach.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs consists of five levels leading bottom-to-top. The base level of needs is physiological in nature, and consists of things needs for human survival. Food, water, sex, breathing, and homeostasis are some of the needs located in this level. The next level builds upon the previous one. So long as the physiological needs are met, one may begin meeting needs of safety. These include personal and financial security, health, and general well being. The third level is concerned with love and belonging. This includes family, friendship, sexual intimacy, and social or religious groups. Often times the need for love can outweigh the needs of lower levels. For instance, a person may engage in an intimate relationship with violent person, thus ignoring the obvious need for safety and personal welfare. The fourth level of needs is that of esteem. This consists of self-esteem, confidence, respect from others and personal achievement. The top and final level of needs is self-actualization. This level can only be reached if all lower levels of needs are not only satisfied, but also mastered entirely. This level embodies the realization of one’s individual potential.
To be self-actualized is to be fully independent and free from the power of society’s rules. When the needs of lower levels are satisfied we begin to pursue our destiny or calling in life. It is not possible for one to completely attain one’s full potential, so those who have mastered all other levels of needs are referred to as self-actualizing people. Maslow regards these people as spontaneous, creative, and able to perceive reality accurately without judgment. This acceptance of reality and recognition of one’s own abilities is, to Maslow, the ultimate purpose in life.
Needless to say, these people are extremely rare in the world, approximately two percent of the population. Although this need to become all one may be is innate and natural, a few things get in the way of that. As a humanistic psychologist, Maslow believed there to be nothing of value learned from non-human animals. The lower levels of needs are long standing and have evolved through time, and we can see the drives for food and survival in all life. The higher up we move in the hierarchy of needs, the more fragile the drives become. To conquer these instinctual needs is simply difficult for most, if not all people.
The other barrier for people is the fear of self-knowledge. To become a self-actualizing person, one must exercise a great deal of honesty in regards to oneself. Most people would rather ignore their own shortcomings than look them in the face. On the other hand, many people experience the Jonah complex and fear their own greatness and destiny. Many people, in Maslow’s opinion, fear success as much as failure and prevent themselves from self-actualizing in that way.
I can definitely see the importance of this theory in its time and understand why it is still prevalent today. Maslow, along with all humanistic psychologists, looked at the ideal subject rather than the flawed one. Instead of focusing on the problem Maslow turned his attention toward the solution. Albert Einstein, a perceived self-actualizing figure, was known to treat science in the same way.
The criticism that lies against the theory is also notable. Maslow interviewed only 100 people whom he predetermined to be self-actualizing. This doesn’t appear very thorough or scientific in nature.
However, it was rumored that Maslow intended to pave the way for others to continue his work in a more vigorous manner. There have been adaptation since the 70’s, including 3 more levels of needs not present in Maslow’s original hierarchy. Another criticism that begs to be recognized is that hierarchy itself. Many argue that the needs do not work in static levels building upon one another, but fluctuate and can be satisfied in any order. Regardless, the theory of self-actualization is still a popular concept today, serving a goal for many in the way they live their lives.
When I originally thought about self-actualizing people in society, I ran through the list of wise, creative, influential people of the ages. Deciding upon a present-day figure, I chose Dr. Wayne Dyer. To my surprise, Dr. Dyer was a student of Abraham Maslow. In 1980, Dyer wrote The Sky’s the Limit, which he dedicated to Maslow. It’s should be no surprise that Dyer chose to continue the work of his old professor and bring self-actualization into the 21st century. He’s the author of over 30 books and has appeared on thousands of television and radio shows. He has dedicated his life to helping others realize their own potential and live their lives to the fullest. He lives in the moment, demonstrates acceptance of all people including himself, displays creativity and innovation with his work, and lives in service to all humankind. He also looks at the ideal of human nature rather than the flaw, which coincides with his humanistic roots. In my opinion, Dr. Dyer is a poster boy for self-actualization, not to mention a model for us all.
In Dyer’s latest book, Excuses Begone, he touches on the very essence of the Jonah complex in how we fear our own success. According to his theory, we create excuses to prevent us from attaining our full potential and successfulness. In his book, he invites the reader to become extremely honest about his/her self without judgment. This type of service and guidance to others is a common theme in his work. Not only does he strive to live a fully aware life, he encourages all others to does so as well. It would seem in continuing the work of his previous professor that Dyer has dedicated his life to making that two percent a bit bigger.
My Instructor’s comments:
“Excellent paper, and good choice of self-actualizing model. I didn’t realize Wayne Dyer was a student of Maslow . . . the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Good work.”
