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Psychology Assessment

Define and Discuss Self Actualization. Compare and Contrast Maslow’s and Rogers’ characteristics of Self Actualization. In addition, discuss if you believe if it is possible to experience self-actualization.
Self Actualization is defined as the motive that drives individuals to express their unique capabilities and fulfill their potentials (Nevid, 304). This means that it is the core of our mind that pushes us to reach the ultimate limit of our self. It is essentially the ability to recognize all of our potentials. Maslow believes that unless a person is doing that which they are fitted for, such as a musician playing music, or an artist painting; that he can not feel completely fulfilled. This will lead to a state of restlessness or an expectance of feeling unachieved in the future (www.xenodochy.org). The army motto “Be all you can be,” is a perfect representation of self-actualization. To self actualize you need to reach your full potential, and do what it is that you are made to do.
Similarly to Maslow, Carl Rogers believed that a person is born with something called the “actualizing tendency.” This means that a person is born with a built in need to reach their fullest potential in life. Essentially Rogers believed that all living creatures are born with the subconscious desire to make the very best out of their existence. This is the one core difference between Maslow and Rogers. Rogers believes that all living creatures are born with this desire, while Maslow only believes the human psyche is capable of this. Rogers believe that in order to reach their fullest potential, humans created society and culture (webspace.ship.edu).
Self Actualization is the ultimate goal of all living creatures in the view of Rogers, and in Maslow’s eyes, all humans strive to perfect themselves, to do the art they were crafted for. I personally believe that Self Actualization is not only the desire to reach your ultimate goal of potential, but the recognition...