Self-Actualization and the Self Concept

Study Notes

Carl Rogers, a humanistic psychologist, believed that people have a basic motive to self-actualize, or reach their highest potential.
He believed that individuals need an environment that provides openness and self-disclosure for personal growth.
Rogers theorized that individuals need to feel comfortable expressing themselves authentically without fear of judgment.
Achieving congruence or balance between one’s real self and ideal self is crucial for self-actualization, according to Rogers.

The real self is who someone is from the inside out, encompassing their actual behaviors, strengths, weaknesses, beliefs, values, and experiences.
The real self is shaped throughout life by various factors, including upbringing.

The ideal self is who someone wants to become.
The ideal self represents the version of ourselves we aspire to be or believe we should be.
Societal norms, cultural expectations, personal goals, role models, and aspirations can influence the ideal self.

When real and ideal selves align, a person can act honestly and connect more authentically with others.
A strong sense of self can lead to less inner conflict, greater satisfaction, and increased resilience.

Individualist cultures (Western): prioritize individual needs, rights, and freedoms.
Collectivist cultures (Eastern): prioritize group cohesion, social harmony, and interdependence.
Individualist cultures tend to emphasize independence
Collectivist cultures tend to emphasize interdependence.

Humanistic Psychologist: Believed that individuals need an open and accepting environment for personal growth.
Openness and Self-Disclosure: Individuals should be free to express themselves authentically without fear of judgment.
Basic Motive - Self-Actualization: People have an innate desire to realize their full potential, talents, and abilities.
Congruence or Balance: Achieving harmony between one's real self and ideal self is key to self-actualization. This brings a sense of wholeness, authenticity, and inner peace.

Real Self: Encompasses actual traits, behaviors, strengths, weaknesses, beliefs, values, and experiences. Shaped by upbringing and experiences.
Ideal Self: The version of oneself that one aspires to be, often influenced by societal norms, cultural expectations, personal goals, role models, and aspirations.

Individualist Self (Western Thought): Prioritizes the individual's needs, rights, freedoms, and self-expression.
Collectivist Self (Eastern Thought): Prioritizes group cohesion, social harmony, and interdependence.
Key Contrasts
- Focus: On individual vs. on the group
- Independence vs. interdependence: Individualist cultures emphasize independence, while collectivist cultures emphasize interdependence.
Western Individualist Cultures: Emphasize individual rights, freedoms, and self-expression.
Eastern Collectivist Cultures: Prioritize group cohesion, social harmony, and interdependence.