Author Question: Briefly explain the self-determination theory. What will be an ideal ... (Read 38 times)

karateprodigy · **on:** Jun 21, 2018

Briefly explain the self-determination theory.

What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

List out the characteristics of self-actualizers as identified by Maslow's research.

What will be an ideal response?

pikon · **Reply #1 on:** Jun 21, 2018

Answer to Question 1

ANS: A contemporary outgrowth of the essence of Maslow's self-actualization theory is the self-determination theory, which suggests that people have an innate tendency to express their interests, to exercise and develop their capabilities and potentials, and to overcome challenge.
Research supporting the notion of self-determination has come from diverse groups such as football players in Australia, teenagers in India and Nigeria, and older women in the United States. Those who scored highest in self-determination showed the greatest improvement in overall behavior and subjective well-being.
More recent research studying people in the United States, Belgium, China, Peru, Australia, Mexico, Venezuela, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Japan have provided further support for the role of self-determination in facilitating positive growth needs and self-actualization. The self-determination theory posits three needs: competence, autonomy, and relatedness.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: Maslow's research on emotionally healthy people formed the basis of his personality theory. He did not find many examples of self-actualizers and estimated that they constitute 1 percent or less of the population. However, he concluded that they share certain characteristics. They are as follows:

An efficient perception of reality. Self-actualizers perceive their world, including other people, clearly and objectively, unbiased by prejudgments or preconceptions.

An acceptance of themselves, others, and nature. Self-actualizers accept their strengths and weaknesses. They do not try to distort or falsify their self-image, and they do not feel guilty about their failings. They also accept the weaknesses of other people and of society in general.

A spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness. The behavior of self-actualizers is open, direct, and natural. They rarely hide their feelings or emotions or play a role to satisfy society, although they may do so to avoid hurting other people. Self-actualizers are individualistic in their ideas and ideals but not necessarily unconventional in their behavior. They feel secure enough to be themselves without being overly assertive.

A focus on problems outside themselves. Self-actualizers have a sense of mission, a commitment, to which they devote their energy. This dedication to a cause or vocation is a requirement for self-actualization. Self-actualizers find pleasure and excitement in their hard work. Through their intense dedication, self-actualizers are able to satisfy the metaneeds. Their commitment challenges and develops their abilities and helps define their sense of self.

A sense of detachment and the need for privacy. Self-actualizers can experience isolation without harmful effects and seem to need solitude more than persons who are not self-actualizing. Self-actualizers depend on themselves, not on others, for their satisfactions. This independence may make them seem aloof or unfriendly, but that is not their intent. They are simply more autonomous than most people and do not crave social support.

A freshness of appreciation. Self-actualizers have the ability to perceive and experience the world around them with freshness, wonder, and awe. An experience may grow stale for someone who is not self-actualizing, but self-actualizers will enjoy each recurrence as though it was the first. Whether it is a sunset, a painting, a symphony, a baseball game, or a birthday giftall of these experiences can be viewed with delight. Self-actualizers appreciate what they have and take little for granted.

Mystical or peak experiences. Self-actualizers know moments of intense ecstasy, not unlike deep religious experiences, that can occur with virtually any activity. Maslow called these events peak experiences, during which the self is transcended and the person feels supremely powerful, confident, and decisive.

Social interest. Maslow adopted Alfred Adlers concept of social interest to indicate the sympathy and empathy self-actualizing persons have for all humanity. Although often irritated by the behavior of other people, self-actualizers feel a kinship with and an understanding of others as well as a desire to help them.

Profound interpersonal relations. Although their circle of friends is not large, self-actualizers have deep, lasting friendships. They tend to select as friends those with personal qualities similar to their own, just as we all choose as friends the people we find compatible. Self-actualizers often attract admirers or disciples. These relationships are usually one-sided; the admirer asks more of the self-actualizer than the self-actualizer is able or willing to give.

Creativeness. Self-actualizing people are highly creative and exhibit inventiveness and originality in their work and other facets of their lives. They are flexible, spontaneous, and willing to make mistakes and learn from them. They are open and humble, in the way children are before society teaches them to be embarrassed or shy about possibly doing something foolish.

Resistance to enculturation. Self-actualizers are autonomous, independent, and self-sufficient. They feel free to resist social and cultural pressures to think or behave in a certain way. They do not openly rebel against cultural norms or social codes, but they are governed by their own nature rather than the strictures of society.