Peak experiences: self-realization, self-actualization of personality: VIKENT.RU

See also: Self-realization and Self-knowledge

Self-actualization

(from Lat.
actualis
- actual, real;
self-expression
) - a person’s desire for the most complete identification and development of his personal capabilities. In some areas of modern Western psychology, self-actualization is promoted to the role of the main motivational factor as opposed to behaviorism and Freudianism, which believe that personal behavior is driven by biological forces, and its meaning lies in defusing the tension they create and adapting to the environment. Genuine self-actualization presupposes the presence of favorable socio-historical conditions.

In psychology and pedagogy of the humanistic direction, it is argued that only with the help of self-actualization is it possible for a person to realize himself, find the meaning of his existence, become what he is capable of becoming, “and not what others force him to be”[1].

Excerpt characterizing Self-actualization

When the pit was already completely filled up, a command was heard. Pierre was taken to his place, and the French troops, standing in front on both sides of the pillar, made a half turn and began to walk past the pillar at measured steps. Twenty-four riflemen with unloaded guns, standing in the middle of the circle, ran to their places while the companies passed by them. Pierre now looked with meaningless eyes at these shooters, who ran out of the circle in pairs. All but one joined the companies. A young soldier with a deathly pale face, in a shako that had fallen back, having lowered his gun, was still standing opposite the pit in the place from which he had fired. He staggered like a drunk, taking several steps forward and backward to support his falling body. An old soldier, a non-commissioned officer, ran out of the ranks and, grabbing the young soldier by the shoulder, dragged him into the company. The crowd of Russians and French began to disperse. Everyone walked in silence, with their heads bowed. “Ca leur apprendra a incendier, [This will teach them to set fire.],” said one of the French. Pierre looked back at the speaker and saw that it was a soldier who wanted to console himself with something about what had been done, but could not. Without finishing what he started, he waved his hand and walked away. After the execution, Pierre was separated from the other defendants and left alone in a small, ruined and polluted church. Before evening, a guard non-commissioned officer with two soldiers entered the church and announced to Pierre that he had been forgiven and was now entering the barracks of prisoners of war. Not understanding what they told him, Pierre got up and went with the soldiers. He was led to booths built at the top of a field of charred boards, logs and planks and led into one of them. In the darkness, about twenty different people surrounded Pierre. Pierre looked at them, not understanding who these people were, why they were and what they wanted from him. He heard the words that were spoken to him, but did not draw any conclusion or application from them: he did not understand their meaning. He himself answered what was asked of him, but did not understand who was listening to him and how his answers would be understood. He looked at the faces and figures, and they all seemed equally meaningless to him.

In his latest book-collection: The farther reaches of human nature, Abraham Maslow writes that humanity “... has reached a point in biological development when it is responsible for its own evolution. We have become self-evolutionists. And evolution presupposes selection, choice and decision-making, and therefore the distribution of assessments.”

He further describes eight strategies by which a person can self-actualize:

1. First of all, self-actualization means the experience is complete, living, selfless, with complete concentration and complete absorption.

2. If you think of life as a process of choices, then self-actualization means: in every choice, decide in favor of growth. We often have to choose between growth and security, between progress and regression. Every choice has its positive and negative aspects.

3. To actualize means to become real, to exist actually, and not just potentially. “You cannot choose life wisely if you do not dare to listen to yourself, to your own self , at every moment of life.”

4. Honesty and taking responsibility for one’s actions are essential aspects of self-actualization. Maslow recommends looking within for answers rather than posing, trying to look good, or trying to please others with your answers. Every time we look within for answers, we are in touch with our inner self.

5. The first five steps help develop the ability to make “better life choices.” We learn to trust our judgments and instincts and act on them. Maslow believes this leads to better choices about what is constitutionally right for each individual. - choices in art, music, food, as well as in serious life issues such as marriage or profession.

6. Self-actualization is also a constant process of developing one’s potential. This means using your abilities and intelligence and “working to do well what you want to do.” Great talent or intelligence is not the same as self-actualization. Many gifted people have not been able to fully utilize their abilities, while others, perhaps with average talent, have done incredible things. Self-actualization is not a “thing” that you can have or not have. It is a process that has no end, similar to the Buddhist Path of Enlightenment. It is a way of living, working and relating to the world, not a single achievement.

7. “Peak experiences”—transitional moments of self-actualization.” We are more whole, more integrated, more aware of ourselves and the world during peak moments. These are the times when we think, act, and feel most clearly and accurately. We love and accept others more, are freer from internal conflict and anxiety, and are more able to use our energy constructively.

8. The next step of self-actualization is discovering your psychological defenses and working to abandon them. We need to become more aware of how we distort our self-image and the external world through repression, projection, and other defense mechanisms.

Maslow A., The farther reaches of human nature, New York, Viking, 1971, p. 45-47.

Qualities of a creative personality according to G.S. Altshuller.

Happiness to be who you are

Perhaps someone will say that they cannot afford to fully realize themselves in life. In this case, for such people, self-actualization is an unattainable peak that they do not have the courage to climb. It takes a certain amount of courage to continually move in the direction you want. After all, in case of failure, you will definitely have to answer to yourself. Or those around him may also “point the finger”: they say, nothing worked out for him, look, in front of you is a complete loser. There is little consolation in the fact that they laugh at a person who has failed, usually those who have never made any attempts at self-realization. A person who has himself gone through similar difficulties will, at a minimum, strive to help with advice, and at best, he will support and help.

Despite all the difficulties that any person inevitably faces when setting out on a “free voyage”, the movement towards self-actualization is worth it. You will eventually be rewarded for all the hardships and hardships you have had to endure so far. For there is no greater happiness in the world than knowing that you are fulfilling your destiny and not living in vain.

Abraham Maslow

First-year psychology students are familiar with Abraham Maslow’s famous pyramid of needs. Among other significant personal values, self-actualization is a separate level for him. Maslow spoke about the human need to fulfill his purpose. What does it mean? This means having the opportunity to open up to oneself and in public life to the maximum, to express oneself in some matter of significant interest to the individual.

Psychological Encyclopedia

- a person’s desire for the fullest possible identification and development of his personal capabilities.
According to A. Maslow, self-actualization is the desire to become everything possible; the need for self-improvement, to realize one’s potential. Her path is difficult and connected with... Share:

Self-actualization in young people

We are talking about adults who have not only reached adulthood, but also received a profession or are studying at universities. This period of development is characterized by the desire for independence, the affirmation of one’s ideals, and the implementation of bold ideas and preferences.

The need for self-actualization is very high. For example, if at this time a young man starts working, he wants to achieve some success and climb higher on the career ladder. This time is most favorable for self-realization, since healthy ambitions will spur decisive action and lead to new achievements. In youth, self-actualization is not just a need, but a significant component of personality development.

Self-actualization in a mature person

Sometimes it happens that a fully grown, accomplished person may feel a little out of place - out of place in the activity in which he is engaged, and experience difficulties in his personal life when building relationships. Self-actualization of an individual at this age largely depends on how much the individual allows himself to do what he likes. Most often, upon reaching maturity, many people “calm down” and often stop there. If this is a high position, then they do not strive to learn new things and stop educating themselves. If a person has not achieved true self-realization before this time, then thinking about it becomes painful for him, and, most likely, he will prefer to close this topic for himself, choosing to immerse himself in a habit, because it is safer and more comfortable. So such a person gets bored at work, without learning new things, without acquiring additional skills.

At the same time, this particular period of development can be an excellent starting point and lead a person to certain achievements if a person wants to change his life and makes significant efforts to do so. Self-actualization of the individual here acts as the last “warning bell”, a signal leading to change.

Creative self-realization

One can only imagine how enormous the emotional elation that people of creative professions experience when creating their works: writers, poets, musicians, artists. For them, self-actualization is the meaning of life, the air they breathe. Take away this opportunity from them - they will go crazy. In fact, self-actualization is always associated with creativity, no matter what a person does, because he has to model a new reality, independently choose for himself guidelines, values, tools that will guide him in the future.

Thus, the concept of self-actualization necessarily includes the desire for self-realization and the individual’s need for self-expression. It is certainly easier for ambitious and talented people to determine their field of activity. But even if you are far from Shakespeare, you should not forget about your individuality, that it can be manifested if you wish.

Full bowl

When you reach a certain peak in business or any other business that requires the expenditure of internal resources, you not only feel like a winner, but you become more confident in yourself, you can make bold plans and dreams for your next achievements.

It feels like you are holding in your hands the whole world, which understands and accepts you. Personal victories allow a person to feel significant, needed, needed.