Monday 18 February 2019

Self-actualized means fulfilling one's true potential

Scott Barry Kaufman, a psychologist at Barnard College, Columbia University, has revived Maslow's actualised personality. To be self-actualised means fulfilling one's true potential and becoming one's authentic self. In these "times of increasing divides, selfish concerns, and individualistic pursuits of power, he hopes that rediscovering the principles of self-actualisation may be just the tonic that the modern world is crying out for.”
"To this end, he’s used modern statistical methods to create a test of self-actualisation: the 10 characteristics exhibited by self-actualised people." Why only 10 characteristics when Maslow had 17? Using statistical methods, he found that seven of them were redundant or irrelevant and didn't correlate with the others.
"Next, he reworded some of Maslow’s original language and labelling to compile a modern 30-item questionnaire featuring 3 items tapping each of these 10 remaining characteristics: Continued freshness of appreciation; Acceptance; Authenticity; Equanimity; Purpose; Efficient perception of reality; Humanitarianism; Peak Experiences; Good moral intuition; and Creative Spirit."
He gave the test to 500 people and found that it correlated with the main 5 personality traits (higher extraversion, agreeableness, emotional stability, openness and conscientiousness) and self-determination theory ("people with more characteristics of self-actualisation also tended to score higher on curiosity, life-satisfaction, self-acceptance, personal growth and autonomy"). Kaufman writes: "Taken together, this total pattern of data supports Maslow’s contention that self-actualised individuals are more motivated by growth and exploration than by fulfilling deficiencies in basic needs.” 
Contrary to what Maslow believed, Kaufman found that self-actualisation was unrelated to age, gender, and education. However, over 3000 people have now taken the test online and there is a "small, but statistically significant association between older age and having more characteristics of self-actualisation."
Self-actualisation characteristics can be developed deliberately. “A good way to start with that is by first identifying where you stand on those characteristics and assessing your weakest links. Capitalize on your highest characteristics but also don’t forget to intentionally be mindful about what might be blocking your self-actualisation. … Identify your patterns and make a concerted effort to change."
Warmly to you,

Irena
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Irena O’Brien, PhD, 
Neuroscience: Un-complicated

Founder and Director
The Neuroscience School

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