Analysis of My Characteristics on The Path to Self-actualization

Maslow established this theory in 1954 by publishing 'Motivation and Personality'. This was a revolutionary theory in that time, since behavioral and psychoanalysis theories dominated in that period. Behaviorism has perceived man as an empty organism that is constantly under the influence of external factors, and is interested only in his reactions and answers to the given factors. Psychoanalysis has perceived a man as a being who is under the influence of innate instincts, conflicts of these unconscious processes.

A Humanistic Approach

A humanistic approach rejects behavioral learning, which perceives man as a machine that can be programmed, which neglects specific human characteristics, such as values, goals, aspirations, love, jealousy, shame, creativity, etc. This approach also rejects psychoanalytic learning, according to which human nature is bad and based on innate instincts, which does not differ from animals. Humanists perceive man's nature as unique, special and authentic, which aspires to self-actualization of one's own potentials and possibilities.

The Path to Self-Actualization

The path to self-actualization leads to the satisfaction of certain motives, which is the basic theoretical setting and the foundation of Maslow's theory. According to him, each individual has motives and needs that they want to achieve in life. Fulfilling them, acts as a reward for making life worthwhile and giving meaning to it. These goals are individual, innate, and among them there is a certain regularity and order, i.e. hierarchy.

Understanding My Characteristics

Looking back at some of my characteristics I can see where some of them could originate from according to this theory. The first characteristic that come to my mind regarding these hierarchies are: emotional stability, wellbeing and trust. In the first hierarchy we can find the physiological needs, which would include our needs for food, water, oxygen, etc. All of my physiological needs are met on a regular basis, which enables me to develop a sense of wellbeing. The second hierarchy is feeling a sense of security. This security was provided to me by various sources such as parents, school and society. My parents gave me a safe shelter. The school provides a predictable structure in my life and the society I live in is generally safe and secure. Having a constant sense of security enables me to develop higher trust. Not being exposed to any violence or thievery gives me higher trust in people.

The Importance of Love and Belonging

Moving on I am able to advance to the third hierarchy, the sense of love and belonging. Humans are social creatures that require this hierarchy to be fulfilled. This hierarchy is mainly fulfilled by my family. The family was the first to give me a strong sense of belonging, which in turn helped me to achieve relationships with other people.

Building Self-Esteem

The fourth hierarchy is self-esteem. The need for self-esteem can be divided into two groups: the need to respect of oneself and the need for respect by other people. Because I feel respected by other people and feel confident about myself I was able to develop emotional stability. Of course I couldn't reach emotionally stability without fulfilling previous needs in the hierarchy.

Aiming for Self-Actualization

The fifth and final hierarchy is self-actualization. In this hierarchy I have all my basic needs fulfilled. When all the previous hierarchies are fulfilled I can finally use all my potential and capacity in order to achieve my best possible self. In this stage I can work on bettering my characteristics such as: compassion, intellect and honesty. These are characteristics that I would like to better about myself and I am aware that they can be better.