Towards a Psychology of Being, Essay Example

Introduction

Personality theories emerge from studying the personality. Essentially, it relates to understanding features of a person’s character that determine insight, intuition, intelligence among many other differentiating traits that distinguishes one person from another.While there are many interpretations of personality through theoretical applications,most modern psychologists agree that personality relates to a pattern whereby one’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors are the characteristic distinctions among humans(Zayas &Shoda, 2009).

Abraham Maslow (1908 -1970) -Self Actualization theory

My favorite theorist is Abraham Maslow and his hierarchy of basic human needs theory resonates with me, especially, the aspect of self-actualization. This theory falls within the category of personality development related to the humanistic paradigm. Maslow perceived self-actualization as intrinsic growth of personality factors, which are existent within the individual. Precisely, it is described as motivated growth or development rather than expressions of deficiency. For example a child or person may have the intrinsic personality trait towards academic exceptional achievements, self-actualization is mastering that trait to its dull potential through motivation rather than identifying characteristic deficiencies within that particular trait(Schacter & Gilbert, 2011).

My reasons for attaching sentiments to this theory and Maslow’s interpretation are profound. For example,someone pursuing the goal towards becoming a school psychologists must be self-actualized at various levels. The potential to achieve the highest level already exist. These qualities are already embedded in the person’s character traits as intuition, exceptional ability to retain information, impart knowledge and detect irregularities in another person’s emotional status. Therefore, self-actualization is the motivating force which enable the person to become a renowned school psychologists. Besides, in achieving this status the highest potential would have been reached (Maslow, 1964).

For me this is sold information, which can be applied when interacting with clients and students. While the personality offers potential for students to excel, in understanding the forces implied in achieving self-actualization motivation is created towards realizing that there is scope for massive improvement into a genius status. According to Maslow self-actualization is the differentiating element between geniuses and low achievers. Importantly, if there are no self-actualization goals no geniuses would be created in our educationalarena or in the world .

Maslow, however, stratifies the growth development to explain that if a person has no shelter, pure water supply, clothing, lights, safety, emotional support, healthcare, and health, self-actualization would be difficult to attain. This also explains the theory whereby people in depressed communities even though they m might have great personality traits find it more difficult in achieving self-actualization than those living or raise inn communities that have the basic facilities for living (Maslow, 1964)

Conclusion

Maslow is correct in advancing this self-actualization personality theory. It explains major aspects of the personality development, which are excluded in many other theories explaining achievement. Precisely, underprivileged people in our society do have magnificent talents and gifts, but without basic necessities of life they cannot attain mastery in the traits they possess. This humanistic assumption pertaining to the human condition and personality expression is important for all professionals, especially, persons pursuing degrees in psychology and teaching younger children.  Young students need to understand very early the environmental factors that shape as well as hinder their personality development.

References

Maslow, A. (1964). Towards a Psychology of Being. New York Sage

Schacter, D., & Gilbert, D. (2011). Human Needs and Self-Actualization: Psychology (2^nd ed.). New York: Worth, Incorporated.

Zayas, V., &Shoda, Y. (2009). Three decades after the personality paradox: Understanding situations. Journal of Research in Personality 43: 280–281