Discuss the meaning of self actualization. Explain it’s importance in the development of emotional intelligence.

 

Each individual has their own potential, strengths, talents and inner desires. The success and happiness of the individual are influenced by an understanding of these and taking steps to realize this inner self with its full potential. Maslow (1954) has used the term self-actualization as a higher order psychological need that people strive towards once the lower order needs are satisfied for them. He has proposed a need hierarchy model  to explain the hierarchical structure of human needs. The model in the form of a pyramid structure presents the lower order needs at the bottom proceeding to higher order needs towards the top.

The physiological needs at the bottom are the most basic needs that are required to be satisfied first before one thinks of other needs. Similarly, one can think of self-esteem needs only when all the other lower level needs are satisfied. Selfactualization is the highest need that depends on the satisfaction of all other needs below it and going beyond it. It represents fulfilling all one’s desires, capacities, potentials etc. For this, one needs first to gain a complete understanding of oneself, assessing oneself accurately, controlling one’s emotions, putting confidence on oneself, having respect and regard for oneself, and an intense desire or drive to work towards achieving one’s goals and realizing one’s potentials.

 

However, it may be pointed out here that Maslow’s theory has also been criticized on the ground that we do have evidence for the fact that people may strive towards higher needs even in the absence of satisfaction of lower level needs. Thus, we can see examples of famous painters/artists or writers who excelled despite their poverty and deficiency in basic resources. So, it may not always be a hierarchical order of satisfaction of needs.

As Maslow (1954) puts it, “what a man can be, he must be. He must be true to his own nature. This need we may call self-actualization…..it is the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming.” Thus, self-actualization can be described as self-fulfillment, to fulfill the potentials what the individual is capable of achieving.

Carl Rogers (1961) also talks about self-actualization in the context of a fully functioning person. Such a person continuously works towards self-actualization, i.e., towards achieving their full potential.

 

This sense/meaning is reflected in the definition of self-actualization as given by Collins English Dictionary (2009, page number) which describes self-actualization as “the process of establishing oneself as a whole person, able to develop one’s abilities and to understand oneself.” Thus it is seeing and understanding oneself in a comprehensive manner rather than a fragmented understanding.

Stein and Book (2006) refer to self-actualization as an ongoing, dynamic process of striving toward the maximum development of your abilities and talents, of persistently trying to do your best and to improve yourself in general.

Mangal & Mangal (2015) define self-actualization ‘as a component of one’s EI representing his need, urge and desire for developing and becoming what he is able or capable of becoming in tune of his own potential, talent and creativity lying with him directed towards his self-satisfaction, real happiness and success in life.’

The Mother, the spiritual guru and founder ofAuroville and SriAurobindo Ashram in Puducherry, India (Sri Aurobindo Ashram 2001) says that one must become aware of what is the highest in oneself, what is most true, most universal and eternal in one’s consciousness. Here, the Mother is not limited to self-actualization, but goes beyond it to a higher level of transcendence, i.e., going beyond oneself, becoming selfless, and engaged in the service of mankind.

 

Importance

• ·         Self-actualization reflects one’s drive to fulfill one’s potential
• ·         It reflects one’s persistence to continue on the path of one’s goal or desires.
• ·         It underlies one’s basic desire to understand oneself fully.
• ·         It views oneself as a whole person, a fully functioning person, achieving what one is capable of achieving or realizing.
• ·         It emphasizes the individual’s innate tendency to be the best possible version of oneself that one can be.
• ·         It indicates the highest level of self-growth by reaching one’s actual self with the realization of the potentials within the individual.
• ·         It involves awareness, acceptance, appreciation, regard, empathy, flexibility, and creativity that help the individual in the process of connecting with one’s inner self and actualizing their potential.
• ·         It gives rise to real success and happiness by being honest and authentic to one’s true self.
• ·         It aims at realizing the highest in one’s consciousness, thus it goes beyond oneself and beyond self-actualization and characterized by selflessness

 anand

Thus. we can see that self-actualization can contribute towards being emotionally intelligent that will make the individual self-aware and self-sufficient and also foster healthy relationships with self and others. It will thus lead to effective intrapersonal and interpersonal management skills.

Subcribe on Youtube - IGNOU SERVICE

For PDF copy of Solved Assignment

WhatsApp Us - 9113311883(Paid)