While reading and discussing the eight values of expression, one for sure stood out to me personally. The self-actualization aspect is the most significant out of the values. As we discussed in lecture, free speech allows an individual to express themselves and create their own identity. Robert Maslow, an American psychologist, created his famous Maslow Hierarchy of Needs that puts human needs on different levels in a hierarchal model. Self-actualization is the highest psychological development where an individual realizes their own self potential and talents. Maslow said that human motivation is based on people seeking fulfillment and change through personal growth. Self-actualized individuals are personally fulfilled and don’t need the approval of others to live their life. Maslow uses ‘peak experiences’ as a way to scale out self-actualization. He believes that when a person experiences the world for what it is, with feelings of joy and euphoria, is how they can realize their full potential.
To me, self-actualization is a very important concept since it is an acceptance of who you are. I would say I am self-actualized, since I accept myself for who I am and am comfortable in my own personality. A part of this value includes people being able to enjoy themselves for who they are and living life guilt free. Another major characteristic in self-actualization is the realistic view one takes. They use a sense of realism, which means the individual is not fearful of things unknown and view the world in a logical and rational sense without emotions getting the best of them. Individuals that have a strong sense of personal ethics will apply their problem-solving skills and always are determined to find the solution or answer to a problem. The most important concept within this value is being autonomous. Self-actualized people are autonomous, meaning they can think independently and don’t conform to other people’s ideas of contentment. I tend to think of myself as a somewhat social person and don’t mind conversation, but I enjoy spending time with myself. Spending time by yourself has a negative meaning in societal terms since people think a person who is alone is depressed, weird, or antisocial. Going to get food by yourself or study in a coffee shop by yourself is totally normal and allows people to contain their thoughts to themselves and reflect on who they are. I believe being alone is a great exercise for the human mind as you can be fully independent and figure out what you are as a person. Getting comfortable in your own skin can be difficult, but the more time you spend with yourself will lead to you figuring out more ideas about yourself as an individual.
https://www.verywellmind.com/characteristics-of-self-actualized-people-2795963
https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html#self
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