CHARACTERISTICS OF A SELF ACTUALIZED PERSON

According to Psychology, Self-Actualization is achieved when you are able to reach your full potential.

According to Maslow’s Theory of Self Actualization, when the needs at the base of the pyramid are 

met, an individual is able to focus on self-actualization. Maslow interpreted human motivation as a search for self-actualization. According to him, all individual have higher growth needs such as the need for self-actualization or deveopment of self and understanding oneself. These growth needs help to make an individual distinctly human. Such persons have a stable personality and are not emotionally disturbed people. Self-actualized people generally fulfill their basic potentialities and therefore are considered as 'optimal' people.

Self-Actualized individuals have frequent peak experiences – A self-actualized person is able to experience feelings of limitless horizons. The individual emerges changed and transformed.

They possess Self-Acceptance and a Democratic world view.

Self-Actualized individuals accept themselves and others as they are. They live a life free of guilt and treat all people the same regardless of background, status or socio-economic and cultural factors.

They do not let their emotions, prejudices, etc. influence any of their perceptions. 

They are Realistic and are able to view life logically and rationally.

These individuals tend to be Problem Centered as they have a strong sense of personal ethics and responsibility.

Self-actualized individuals are autonomous – They tend to be independent and do not conform to others ideas for happiness or contentment.

They enjoy Solitude and Privacy – as well as the company of others. However, they prefer to take time off for themselves to focus on personal discovery and to cultivate their individual potential.

They have a thoughtful sense of humor, are able to laugh at themselves and don’t ridicule others.

Self-Actualized individuals are spontaneous and don’t feel confined by norms. They are open and unconventional.

They fully enjoy the journey not just the destination. While Self Actualized individuals have concrete goals, they enjoy the process of reaching the goals too.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in Psychology comprising of a five-tier model of human needs.

Physiological Needs – these are biological requirements for human survival. For e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, sex, sleep. If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. These needs, according to Maslow, are the most important without which other needs cannot be fulfilled.

Safety Needs – protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.

Love and Belonging Needs – The third level of human needs is social and involves feelings of belonging. The need for interpersonal relationships motivates behavior. E.g. Friendship, trust, intimacy, etc.

Esteem Needs – are divided into two categories – esteem fo oneself – dignity, achievement, independence; and the desire for reputation or respect from others – status, prestige

Self-Actualization Needs – realizing personal potential, self fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

CRITICISM

Maslow's model is a very popular model, but theoretically, there are a lot of loopholes.

The rigidity with which Maslow has sequenced theres needs. Critics have objected to the order of the needs. Though all needs are perceived, they don't have to be in the same order.

Accordint ot certain other critics, all needs given by Maslow may not be or perceive all needs. For e.g. some individuals will skip love and affection and go from safety to esteem.

There is no emperical evidence (observed cases) at all to substantiate this theory. According to critics, this theory is presented in a vaccume only to counter Freudian theory.

AGGRESSION

Aggression is defined as behavior that is intended to harm another individual who does not wish to be harmed – Baron and Richardson, 1997.

Aggression intends to destroy another person’s property or to injure another person, physically or psychologically.

Public aggression is seen in the form of communal conflicts, casteist clashes, racial discrimination, etc.

Aggression is a result of the frustration of not achieving basic needs. It is not an essential part of human nature, but a reaction to circumstances in which essential needs are unfulfilled.

Nonphysical aggression includes gossiping, spreading rumors, criticizing people behind their back, bullying, turning people against each other, etc.

There are various reasons for people and societies to turn to aggression.

Neurosis – is caused by the frustration of not being able to achieve basic human needs. The neurotic individual has irrational thoughts and acts irrationally thus harming not only himself but also others.

Media – watching and imitating violent behavior on television increases the likelihood to short term aggression among children.

Frustration – when a person is unable to achieve his or her goals.

Anger -  Individual’s feel angry when they  sense that they or someone they care about has been offended. Anger can be destructive when it does not find its proper outlet of expression and it sometimes leads to aggression.

Cultural causes – cultural influence plays in important role in the behavior of an individual. Humans have a natural tendency to be aggressive and society and culture can effect how much aggression is allowed.

Peers – An individual’s peer group influences how aggressive or violent they are. Negative groups like gangs can cause someone to be violent. Peer groups can also influence individuals to reduce aggressive behavior.

Social learning theory – people tend to imitate people around them. When parents are aggressive, children learn this behavior and follow the same. However, a parent is able to influence the child through non-violence and understanding the child’s behavior is moulded to be non-aggressive.

Economic causes – when people compete for the same resources it leads to conflict and aggression. E.g. property, jobs, income, housing. It is similar with natural resources.

Political causes – people become aggressive when they are unhappy with how the are governed. The most common conflicts occur when a particular group wants to be independent from a governing body. E.g. conflicts in Egypt.

Religious and political differences – conflicts also arise when people’s beliefs clash. Religious views are sensitive, and people depend on these views for a sense of identity and belonging. However, when religious groups are attacked because of a belief, there can be aggression. Politicians use aggression and promote differences in order to come to power and stay in power.

Ethnic differences – Peoples ethnicity gives them a sense of identity and any threat can cause aggression.

Most conflicts arise when people feel threatened and anger leads to aggression.  

ENVIRONMENT

The concept of environment is complex and comprehensive. Environment is made up of both biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) components.

Environment may be defined as a science concerned with all the problems faced by man in relation to the surrounding totality.

The nature of environmental studies is heterogeneous and dynamic. Man has modified his biotic and physical surroundings. He is constantly exploiting resources. This has led to deterioration of environmental quality. Some of the major problems are population explosion, soil erosion, deforestation, pollution of air, water and land and extinction of living species.

The scope of environment studies is extensive.

Environmental study enables man to accept his responsibility towards the environment. It enables him to control environmental degradation by using resources sustainably.

The word 'environment' comes from the word 'environ' which means 'to be around'.

Environment can be defined as teh sum total of all external conditions and influences that affect life on earth.

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS

Physical / Natural Environment - is of two types Abiotic and Biotic

Abiotic / Non living components:

Location - The location of a country is a prime factor that influences human activities (especially climate). Location is of two types: 

Absolute lcoation - is defined by the lines of latitudes and longitudes. It is the exact location of a place on the ground. 

Polar areas experience low temperature

Tropical areas have high temperature and rainfall.

Middle latitudes have moderate temperature and rainfall.

Relative Location of a place is its position in relation to other features like roads, railways, sea, market, etc.

Maritime Locations provide facility of water transport.

Continental Locations lack facility of cheap water transport. e.g., Nepal depends on Kolkata (in India) for trading activities.

Topography - Physical features of a region like mountains, plateaus, plains, valleys, etc., form the topography. It influences the development of economic activities.

e.g., Mountainous regions economically underdeveloped due to inaccessibility. Matheran

River valleys and plains - human settlements - transport and agriculture.

Climate - is the most fundamental factor of physical environment. It influences plant growth, types of houses man builds for himself, economic activities, etc.

e.g. Cool climate keeps man energetic and hardworking. Hot climate makes man physically weaker and exhausted. 

Shape and size of a country - Large countries like USA, India are likely to have wider range of resources which leads to higher economic growth and development. 

Smaller countries like Japan and UK have limitations in teh availability of resources and have to depend on imports.

Compact countries have high econmic development as coordination of resources becomes easy.

Fragmented countries (Phillipines) face problems of overall development. 

Country having latitudinal extent or elongated shape (Chile / Peru) face problems of political control and integration.

Coastline - Water transport is teh cheapest. Most world trade is carried on by water transport. An indented or broken coastline provides ideal locations for development of harbors and ports.

Minerals - are the most unevenly distributed resource on the surface of the earth. this has led to large scale trade in minerals and power resources. Areas rich in mineral deposits attract large number of people to areas less suitable for humna settlement e..g., Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq (oil deposits). 

Soil - Different types of soils are found in different regions. Soil is a governing factor in growing crops. Fertility of soil controls the quality and quantity of crops.

Biotic / Living Components

Natural Vegetation - Plants and vegetation form the livig natural components of environment. They play a major role in maintaining natural ecological balance. Natural vegetation provides a base for a variety of economic activities like lumbering, hunting, etc.

Animals - including man and other micro organisms are living components of the environment. A large variety of animals depend on climatic and physical conditions. Herbivors - grass eating

carnivors - flesh eating Omnivores - both plant and flesh eaters

Cultural / Manmade Components

Social environment - develops as a consequence of humna traits like religion and ethnic character of the population.

Political Environment - Government plays an important role in promoting peoples welfare through economic development. The political conditions prevailing in a country directly affects the flow of commerce of that country. Different countries follow different political systems. for e.g., Democracy, Dictatorship, etc. The government policies of taxation, quota system, development of industries, determine the political envrionment of the country. 

Economic Enviornment - develops as a result of economic activities of man like farming, mining, trading, etc.

Technological envrionment - Technology used for developing resources plays a significant role in improving the economic environment of a country. Mechanization allows mass production. Technological innovations enhance the quality of production. Technology promotes economic development but improper use of technology leads to serious problems like growth of unemployment and deterioration of environment through air and water pollution.

PREJUDICE

Prejudice is a baseless and usually negative attitude towards members of a group.

Common features of Prejudice are negative feelings, stereotyped beliefs and tendency to discriminate against members of the group.

Prejudice can be based on a number of factors like racism, sexism, classicism, nationalism, ageism, religious prejudice, etc.

Prejudice results in stereotyping and discrimination.

A stereotype is an assumption about a group based on prior assumptions. Stereotypes can be both positive and negative.