Self-Actualization: Any ideas?

[Telleriab2]

Okay, I humbly admit that I need some help here. I need to do a project in which a professor has assigned me in a group project. The topic is Maslow's heirarchy of needs. I can comprehend the idea of what it basically is, the meeting of basic needs that continue to rise to different levels in order for the person to achieve what is essentially the best that he can be.

What I wonder is how one manages to climb up the top level: self-actualization. I have read about the certain characteristics of what Maslow recognized to be self-actualized individuals (biographical case studies and his own real-life examples). But, how does one reach it? The project that we plan to do focuses on showing how an individual surpasses each level to reach the highest one (to make it easier on ourselves, we are only focusing on five levels rather than eight). I was fortunate enough to volunteer to cover the level of self-esteem and the ultimate self-actualization.

I understand that one must satisfy the needs in each of the levels of the pyramid (even if they are not fully accomplished) in order for one to progress to meeting the needs of the succeeding level. But for one to accomplish Maslow's version of self-actualization, in the face of stress and repression from just regular life, seems to be out of reach for the overwhelming majority of the people.

So, fellow T-webbers, any ideas as to what would mark a person as the ideal self-actualized being?

Telleriab2

P.S.
I need to keep this within a ten to fifteen minute presentation and explain this to a group of collegiates who will be tested on the material we cover in class. Yikes!

[Questor]

Okay, I humbly admit that I need some help here. I need to do a project in which a professor has assigned me in a group project. The topic is Maslow's heirarchy of needs. I can comprehend the idea of what it basically is, the meeting of basic needs that continue to rise to different levels in order for the person to achieve what is essentially the best that he can be.

What I wonder is how one manages to climb up the top level: self-actualization. I have read about the certain characteristics of what Maslow recognized to be self-actualized individuals (biographical case studies and his own real-life examples). But, how does one reach it? The project that we plan to do focuses on showing how an individual surpasses each level to reach the highest one (to make it easier on ourselves, we are only focusing on five levels rather than eight). I was fortunate enough to volunteer to cover the level of self-esteem and the ultimate self-actualization.

I understand that one must satisfy the needs in each of the levels of the pyramid (even if they are not fully accomplished) in order for one to progress to meeting the needs of the succeeding level. But for one to accomplish Maslow's version of self-actualization, in the face of stress and repression from just regular life, seems to be out of reach for the overwhelming majority of the people.

So, fellow T-webbers, any ideas as to what would mark a person as the ideal self-actualized being?

Telleriab2

P.S.
I need to keep this within a ten to fifteen minute presentation and explain this to a group of collegiates who will be tested on the material we cover in class. Yikes!


This just a stab, but wouldn't the ideal be a person who is not threatened or feels lacking in their environment or when that environment exerts a pressure on them? The ideal is a person who is self-confident in themselves. There is a sense of internal wisdom or knowledge that allows them to act with calmness, direction, and decisiveness despite being in chaos. To restate this, this person is looking within for the strength or knowledge to respond rather looking to others (or other things), I guess this would be what we consider as character. Ones ideal character would be able to respond consistently in any situation.

I am not sure if this helps....:smile:

[Abelard]

Carl Rogers was the guy who laid most of that out. Reseach his interpersonal psychology. It's too complicate for a mesage board.

[Questor]

What I wonder is how one manages to climb up the top level: self-actualization.

But for one to accomplish Maslow's version of self-actualization, in the face of stress and repression from just regular life, seems to be out of reach for the overwhelming majority of the people.




...sorry I missed these. I think climbing is simply a matter of that person realizing that they can accomplish goals, they can actually achieve what they set out to do. This would be the incremental steps of building self-confidence. If you look at each level you can see these needs are also goals- where we perceive a need we also have to determine to fulfill those needs by devising a plan and actually doing a behaviour to achieve.

When our planning and our behaviour works, is successful, we build a confidence in ourselves. Now, if you also add the idea that we can still achieve what we want while facing adversity then we really build self-confidence. We learn that we can accomplish our goals (Maslows needs) despite being in a place where it is lacking ; for example, to hunt and find food in a desert. To accomplish finding food when you shouldn't be finding food brings a major sense of self-confidence. Now you apply this principle to each level, where it becomes more social and value based rather than something physical.

For instance, as Christians we are to love despite the oppostion..we are to dig deep for Gods Love (one would rightly say we learn that love) during times of hate (in this sense we don't need them to love us in order for us to love them because we already possess it) then that would be the ideal. We have the confidence in that love we already have rather than looking for something outside ourselves

Boy, I hope this is clear....

[Telleriab2]

This just a stab, but wouldn't the ideal be a person who is not threatened or feels lacking in their environment or when that environment exerts a pressure on them? The ideal is a person who is self-confident in themselves. There is a sense of internal wisdom or knowledge that allows them to act with calmness, direction, and decisiveness despite being in chaos. To restate this, this person is looking within for the strength or knowledge to respond rather looking to others (or other things), I guess this would be what we consider as character. Ones ideal character would be able to respond consistently in any situation.

I am not sure if this helps....:smile:

Hm. It kinda does. I can see from where you are coming, about a person looking within himself. Yet what confuses me is how a person leads up to the state of being that would consider him to be self-actualized. Based on the hierarchy, the self-esteem needs must first be met, and then an individual can proceed to becoming self-actualized.

I guess cool-headedness while relying on oneself can be part of that.

(And thanks for responding, by the way)

[Telleriab2]

Carl Rogers was the guy who laid most of that out. Reseach his interpersonal psychology. It's too complicate for a mesage board.

You sure? You would be surprised to learn how complicated things may get around here sometimes!

[Questor]

Hm. It kinda does. I can see from where you are coming, about a person looking within himself. Yet what confuses me is how a person leads up to the state of being that would consider him to be self-actualized. Based on the hierarchy, the self-esteem needs must first be met, and then an individual can proceed to becoming self-actualized.

I guess cool-headedness while relying on oneself can be part of that.

(And thanks for responding, by the way)


..I think I tried to answer this in my second post above...but i was editing it and you didn't see it...

[Telleriab2]

...sorry I missed these. I think climbing is simply a matter of that person realizing that they can accomplish goals, they can actually achieve what they set out to do. This would be the incremental steps of building self-confidence. If you look at each level you can see these needs are also goals- where we perceive a need we also have to determine to fulfill those needs by devising a plan and actually doing a behaviour to achieve.

When our planning and our behaviour works, is successful, we build a confidence in ourselves. Now, if you also add the idea that we can still achieve what we want while facing adversity then we really build self-confidence. We learn that we can accomplish our goals (Maslows needs) despite being in a place where it is lacking ; for example, to hunt and find food in a desert. To accomplish finding food when you shouldn't be finding food brings a major sense of self-confidence. Now you apply this principle to each level, where it becomes more social and value based rather than something physical.

For instance, as Christians we are to love despite the oppostion..we are to dig deep for Gods Love (one would rightly say we learn that love) during times of hate (in this sense we don't need them to love us in order for us to love them because we already possess it) then that would be the ideal. We have the confidence in that love we already have rather than looking for something outside ourselves

Boy, I hope this is clear....

You lost me a bit around the desert analogy, but I am capable of re-reading.

What you say does indeed make sense, that with each action that we do to help ourselves become better, especially in our Christian walk, only serves to re-enforce ourselves as people. (Boy, I hope that was clear!) I thank you very much for showing me how else this can be applied to what I am researching.

Unfortunately, and I am sorry that I failed to mention this previously, I attend a secular university. I am quite certain that the professor shall only expect to hear what is the theorized norm of Maslow's hierarchy, and I doubt that I shall be able to fit a different perspective into the project.

Still, I do not despair.

[Questor]

You lost me a bit around the desert analogy, but I am capable of re-reading.

What you say does indeed make sense, that with each action that we do to help ourselves become better, especially in our Christian walk, only serves to re-enforce ourselves as people.


I see that I wasn't clear as I wasn't trying to explain about just helping ourselves. I was using the christian walk as an example only. The desert example points out that we learn that our behaviour can be successful (goal achievement) despite poor conditions. You were specifically asking about how one achieves each level.

I was using the word self-confidence but in fact this fits squarely into either cognitive learning theory or as in an explanation for cognitive behavioural learning ( you can apply operant condtioning to this if you like and the principles are the same). The problem with maslow, as you pointed out, is you are never told how to get there only that these are the levels.

Self-confidence = learned responses of successful plans+actions. At each level we learn through trial and error until our plans+actions are successful in achieving those goals (needs). We do not move beyond each level until we have found the correct set of plans+actions that are successful. We stay there stuck in that level until we learn. Once we have learned to be successful then that level allows us to experience the next level.

[Telleriab2]

I see that I wasn't clear as I wasn't trying to explain about just helping ourselves. I was using the christian walk as an example only. The desert example points out that we learn that our behaviour can be successful (goal achievement) despite poor conditions. You were specifically asking about how one achieves each level.

I was using the word self-confidence but in fact this fits squarely into either cognitive learning theory or as in an explanation for cognitive behavioural learning ( you can apply operant condtioning to this if you like and the principles are the same). The problem with maslow, as you pointed out, is you are never told how to get there only that these are the levels.

Self-confidence = learned responses of successful plans+actions. At each level we learn through trial and error until our plans+actions are successful in achieving those goals (needs). We do not move beyond each level until we have found the correct set of plans+actions that are successful. We stay there stuck in that level until we learn. Once we have learned to be successful then that level allows us to experience the next level.

I see. In order to ascend, we must learn how to do so. Correct?

[Adam]

Unfortunately, and I am sorry that I failed to mention this previously, I attend a secular university. I am quite certain that the professor shall only expect to hear what is the theorized norm of Maslow's hierarchy, and I doubt that I shall be able to fit a different perspective into the project.
Still, I do not despair.
Here's how to make a hit with the prof--
You can keep yourself safely out of religious and transcental applications by giving your impression of what Maslow would say about our cyber-age.
Relate the hierarchy of needs to how people use the internet.
1. People addicted to the high from sex, gambling, etc. or just to sell products.
2. People who have to use the internet, but focus on all manner of means to protect themselves through filters, firewalls, and anti-virus devices.
3. Chat-room types.
4. Ego-driven types such as trolls, braggarts, and bullies.
5. Proselytizers selling their religion, anti-religion, politics, or whatever crusade. They're doing it because they believe it think everyone else would want it if they understood it.
6. People who feel anything they say on the internet will be of value, but who have no need to have anyone affirm them.
Adam

[kneel2hymn]

It would seem to me that a I become self-actualized. When I understand that your view of me or your behavior towards me is not a reflection of me. Then I have not only achieved true self-esteem but I have also become self-actualized. My way of being in the world no longer revolves around the world and I understand that the world does not revolve around me.

I could be way off here but just my thoughts.

[Abelard]

You sure? You would be surprised to learn how complicated things may get around here sometimes!

Absolutely sure 100% positive. Maslow spent most of his effort in this area on the progressions in his hiearchy of needs. He coined the term self-actualization but didn't really spend a lot of time examining it.

Carl Rogers developed an entire personality theory and therapeutic method around self-actualization. He didn't invent the term, but he is the one who made it useful as a counseling technique.

[Telleriab2]

Here's how to make a hit with the prof--
You can keep yourself safely out of religious and transcental applications by giving your impression of what Maslow would say about our cyber-age.
Relate the hierarchy of needs to how people use the internet.
1. People addicted to the high from sex, gambling, etc. or just to sell products.
2. People who have to use the internet, but focus on all manner of means to protect themselves through filters, firewalls, and anti-virus devices.
3. Chat-room types.
4. Ego-driven types such as trolls, braggarts, and bullies.
5. Proselytizers selling their religion, anti-religion, politics, or whatever crusade. They're doing it because they believe it think everyone else would want it if they understood it.
6. People who feel anything they say on the internet will be of value, but who have no need to have anyone affirm them.
Adam

It certainly is something to consider.

Broken down, your list features:
1)Physiological Needs
2)Security Needs
3 and 4) Social belonging needs (though leads to a bit more perplexing scenario as to how a person may surpass unto the next level. I would think that, given the fact that these would constitute ego-centered individuals, others would recognize the ego-centered person's motives and be turned off from ever associating with him; this would cause him to be frustrated to find that his Social Belonging Needs are not being met and cause him to regress to the previous level. I have a co-worker who unfortunately is very egostistical, and she is a miserable woman, socially and personally)
5)Self-Esteem
and finally
6)Actualization

It would also be beneficial for me to include examples to how students may relate to the hierarchy themselves. So far, we have been able to come up with materialistic examples with the fiirst few levels.

[Telleriab2]

It would seem to me that a I become self-actualized. When I understand that your view of me or your behavior towards me is not a reflection of me. Then I have not only achieved true self-esteem but I have also become self-actualized. My way of being in the world no longer revolves around the world and I understand that the world does not revolve around me.

I could be way off here but just my thoughts.

And some very good thoughts at that.

[Telleriab2]

Absolutely sure 100% positive. Maslow spent most of his effort in this area on the progressions in his hiearchy of needs. He coined the term self-actualization but didn't really spend a lot of time examining it.

Carl Rogers developed an entire personality theory and therapeutic method around self-actualization. He didn't invent the term, but he is the one who made it useful as a counseling technique.

I am not very well-versed in Rogers's works, but I do remember a bit from Intro. to Psychology back in Freshman year. The Person-Centered theory and how self-concept arises?

[Abelard]

I am not very well-versed in Rogers's works, but I do remember a bit from Intro. to Psychology back in Freshman year. The Person-Centered theory and how self-concept arises?

Yep. Google him up.

It's the hiearchical structure that is important in Maslow. You can't get to step two unless you are on step one.

To examine that top level, you will need to go to Rogers. He sees self-actualization as a matter of congruence between the projected, ideal self and the real self as defined by significant others. Kneel2hymn has it down pretty well.

[Telleriab2]

Thank you very much for responding (by the way, Welcome to T-Web!).

I do not rely so much on google if not the textbook that I kept from my Intro. to Psychology class. It provides a thorough synopsis.

I can see how a person can manage to become self-actualized by recognizing himself as who he truly is, and I am tempted to include Rogers into the project as well. But the professor stressed that the topic should stay to Maslow's hierarchy and only to Maslow's hierarchy (the class has already seen some groups who have done a poor job of sticking to their defined topic). This, of course, led to my speculation as to how one progresses through the levels. Mentioning Rogers has helped me to understand a bit more the theory of self-actualization.

[Questor]

I see. In order to ascend, we must learn how to do so. Correct?

Correct. That is the basis for all learning models. The good thing about Maslow's view of people is that it's so broad of an explanation it can fit into more rigorous scientific reduction models. Most of it is "true" because its a common sense description of how we mature as people.

[Telleriab2]

Yes. The fact that Maslow has not labled his theory by more mathematical standards ("X plus Y equals Z") has only made my part of the project a breeze.

[God_is_personal]

1)Physiological Needs > we're born with these > some suppose their MATERIAL needs being fulfilled constitutes being secure, belonging socially, reason to feel good about themselves because no one sees them in poverty or crutches or overweight, etc. So, numero uno, for a numb number IS actualization

2)Security Needs > for some, this stops with having money for what they want > enough money to do what they please is, for them, actualization > after all, money has no conscience; so we have people who are QUITE OK about getting along with money and not being able to get along as well with people

3 and 4) Social belonging needs > I guess number three would be with family, then would come four with others, including in marriage > but we have a tendency to flock together with birdbrains of our own feather (Mat. 5:46), and get bird flu together, the bird flu of CONCEIT of supposing OUR in-crowd is better than others (2 Cor. 12:10) > yes, for "a number", conceit can be what they consider their actualization, of being better than others...in COMPARISON to freaks and psychos (and us religious weirdos, maybe)

5)Self-Esteem > comes with being humble . . . NOT trying or wanting to be better than anyone else > not judging who is good enough for me to love and worth my attention

6)Actualization > therefore, comes as well as I am caring about others, not just about myself and merely USING anyone to get what I want >

By the way > being caring is what will make me best able to meet my own needs physiologically, since my caring mind can think clearly better than a selfish and worrying mind > being caring can help keep me satisfied so I am not impulsively and convulsively going after material pleasures to try to make myself feel good, and so I can control myself to do what is right physiologically > and with being caring about others, I am feeling more secure, not so worried about how others might have it in for me, since I won't be crossing people > and caring will make me sensitive better about who I be friends with, how I relate with my family, what I go along with and what I refuse to do which can mess me and others up > and I'll therefore have reason to feel good about myself, but NOT just so I can look down on others > so "number 6" will feed and improve 1-5

and there IS 7-Heaven > God and sharing with Him in His love so sweet and kind and pleasant > He shows me what caring REALLY is > HOW caring needs to be > after all, a do-it-myself caring six will leave me deeply weak, so when things go badly for ones I care about, I can take this so hard, feel guilty because I blame myself for not doing better, etc. Because I have played my own God. So even a caring-6 level person can really get into heavy duty emotional suffering, without God > like how that homeless advocate guy got laws passed, but then killed himself maybe because things didn't work with his girlfriend > if you can't take no for an answer about something, then I'd say you're not ready to have it > if you can't deal with losing something or somebody, then you're not really ready for that > this is "why" we HAVE to have God . . . so we can stay sweet and content, no matter what > His love makes us like this >
. . . . . . . . . . . . . "be content with such things as you have" (in Hebrews 13:5)

[MrTulip]

Yep. Google him up.

It's the hiearchical structure that is important in Maslow. You can't get to step two unless you are on step one.

To examine that top level, you will need to go to Rogers. He sees self-actualization as a matter of congruence between the projected, ideal self and the real self as defined by significant others. Kneel2hymn has it down pretty well.

Rogers sees the actualizing tendency as inherent in all life. This motivation is present even in survival conditions. It is primal in nature.