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."
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Neuroscience: Un-complicated
Founder and Director
The Neuroscience School
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