Motivation and emotion/Tutorials/Growth psychology/Self-evaluation of self-actualisation

Self-evaluation of self-actualisation

Instructions:

• Rate the extent to which you experience each of the 16 characteristics that Abraham Maslow identified in self-actualised people.
• Use a scale from 1 (Not at all like me) to 10 (Very much like me).

1. Priority of values like truth, love, and happiness
   1. Acceptance of self, others, and nature - Stoic, calm acceptance of even the worst; doesn't fight reality (e.g., "not complaining about water because it is wet.")
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   2. Identification with the human species - Identification with all of humanity as opposed to identifying with just own family, friends, culture, or nation.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   3. Emphasis on higher level values - Spend less time concentrating on the lower values (safety, belongingness, etc.) and more time concerned primarily with higher values or meta-values.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   4. Perception of reality - Clear perception of reality. Superior ability to reason, perceive the truth, and understand people at a deeper level.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   5. Discrimination between means and ends - Prioritises and enjoys the journey, not just the destination; experiences and activities are viewed more as ends in themselves.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   6. Resolution of dichotomies (conflicts) - Resolves conflicts that others might find intractable because of a highly developed, accepting philosophy of life.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

2. Internally controlled
   1. Autonomous and resistant to enculturation, but not purposely unconventional - Makes up own mind, comes to own decisions, self-starter, responsible for one's self and one's destiny; resistant to influence of salespeople, advertisers, parents, propagandists, TV, newspapers and so on.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   2. Detachment and desire for privacy - High enjoyment of privacy and solitude. Calm and at peace with self.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   3. Spontaneous, simple, natural - Spontaneous, natural inner life, thoughts, impulses, and behaviours.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

3. High involvement, productivity, and happiness
   1. Problem-centering - Easily absorbed (experiences flow) in enjoyable/important tasks.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   2. Creativeness - Exhibits an almost childlike, fresh, direct way of looking at life.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   3. Freshness of appreciation and richness of emotional reactions - Able to intensely focus on the present and become highly involved in it. Very accepting of emotions.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   4. High frequency of peak experiences - Often have moments of intense joy, wonder, awe and ecstasy. After these experiences, feel inspired, strengthened, renewed or transformed.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

4. High quality interpersonal relationships
   1. Intimate interpersonal relations - Experiences deep and profound interpersonal relations. However, these very close relationships are often limited to a very few people. Tend to be kind, patient, affectionate, friendly, and unpretentious; but can be direct and assertive when needed.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   2. Democratic character structure - A person's status is unimportant. Instead, responds to values and character.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

   3. Philosophical, unhostile sense of humour - Enjoys humour. Likes to laugh and joke, but not at the expense of others. Generally seen as good natured, though capable of being very serious.
      

      1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Note: These items are based on these sources: [1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6], [7]