What is self-actualization, and how is it related to conditional positive regard?

Question

What is self-actualization, and how is it related to conditional positive regard? I was asked this question in class and was unsure of the answer. Does anybody have an idea ?

Answer 1

Self-actualization is a term coined by the humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow. His theory suggests that all humans have a set hierarchy of needs that need to be met and when we meet each need we become closer to "self-actualization." In goes in this order: 1.Basic Needs(food, shelter etc) 2. Safety 3. Belonging/Love(feeling loved) 4. Esteem(feeling respected by others.) Once all those needs are met you reach self-actualization, which means you have fully met your potential and are content with your life.

UN-conditional positive regard is a theory by another humanistic psychologist by the name of Carl Rogers.
Rogers said that we must give un-conditional positive regard to our children meaning even though we disagree with their decisions in life we still respect them. For instance if you came from a family of wealthy family of lawyers and you expect them to be successful lawyer as well. But one day one of your children comes home and says "dad I want to become a zoo keeper" even though you might disagree with them you still respect that decision and say "oh that's great son/daughter! when will you be starting your internship?"

Conditional positive regard would be the exact opposite, but I'm not sure how conditional postivive regard would relate to self-actualization though.

Answer 2

Conditional Positive Regard

Answer 3

Like much of the soft sciences, Maslow's ideas seemed correct at the time even though they were without empirical support and now have been revised and updated. Maslow, after the first 5 stages later added three more for a total of eight needs. Self-actualization was moved down from the top to #2. Transcendence was placed in the top spot. Most recently, in Krenrick's work, self-actualization was dropped and 3 reproduction related motives -mate attraction, mate retention and parenting were added in its place. Five years from now, if you asked a similar question, you would get a different answer .... again.... such are the ways of the non-mathematical sciences.

Answer 4

Self Actualization is part of Maslow's Heirarchy of needs and occurs when a person has fulfilled his or her potential by meeting basic needs. If you reach this level, you will have fulfilled your inborn potential as a creative, unique person.

Conditional positive regard is when a person is accepted as worthy only when he or she behaves in a certain way.

You may never fulfill your potential if you grew up being treated with conditional positive regard because you only act the way you think others want you to act.

Answer 5

I believe that in addition to Maslow's self-actualization, Wm. Glasser's Basic Human Emotional Needs have to be met "enough" along the way--Belonging (as w/Maslow), Power, Freedom and Fun. These have to be met, otherwise, we cannot utilize our emotional resources to focus on actualization.

Answer 6

we talked about this in class to when we talked about the book "A Seperate Peace" by john knowles. i think my teacher said that self-actualization is when you realize that your parents arent perfect, when you realize the world is more dangerous, more dark, more sinful than you thought it was when you were growing up. you start to become yown person and think for yourself, as opposed to believing what your parents believe just because it was all you grew up with, etc. now i dont know what conditional positive regard is and how it relates but oh well