AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)
Applied Psychology
Easy

The concept of self-actualisation and the fifteen basic personality characteristics were described by:

Appeared in: AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Explanation

  • Abraham Maslow, a humanistic psychologist, is credited with the theory of self-actualization.
  • He proposed a 'Hierarchy of Needs' where self-actualization is the highest level, representing the fulfillment of one's unique potential.
  • Maslow studied exemplary individuals like Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt to identify a set of common characteristics of self-actualized people.
  • These characteristics include traits like creativity, autonomy, a strong sense of ethics, and having 'peak experiences'.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

  • Option A: Marie Jahoda's work focused on defining positive mental health through six specific criteria, not a hierarchy of needs or a list of 15 personality traits.
  • Option B: Carl Rogers' theory, while also humanistic, centers on the 'fully functioning person' and the 'actualizing tendency.' He did not propose the specific list of 15 characteristics derived from studying historical figures.
  • Option D: Karl Menninger was a psychiatrist who focused on the diagnosis and classification of mental illness, which is distinct from the study of optimal human functioning and growth.

Related Visual

Visual explanation — Related Visual
Clinical Relevance
  • Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Theories of Personality and Mental Health as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
  • Understanding Maslow's Hierarchy is fundamental in nursing for providing holistic care. It helps nurses prioritize patient needs, recognizing that basic physiological and safety needs (like pain relief, nutrition, and a safe environment) must be met before a patient can address higher-level needs like learning or emotional well-being.
  • This theory supports patient-centered care by encouraging nurses to see patients as individuals striving for growth and to help them move toward their health goals.
  • What if? A patient recovering from major surgery is irritable and refuses to learn about their wound care. A nurse applying Maslow's theory would first assess for unmet lower-level needs (Is their pain controlled? Are they afraid? Do they feel isolated?) before re-attempting patient education, which addresses a higher-level need (esteem/competence).
How to Approach the Question
  • This is a factual recall question that tests your knowledge of major psychological theories.
  • First, identify the key concepts in the question stem: 'self-actualisation' and 'fifteen basic personality characteristics'.
  • Mentally review the main contributions of each psychologist listed in the options.
  • Associate Abraham Maslow with the 'Hierarchy of Needs,' which famously culminates in 'self-actualization.'
  • Recall that Maslow's method involved studying people he considered to be self-actualized, which led to his list of characteristics.
  • Differentiate this from Carl Rogers, who also discussed an 'actualizing tendency' but is more known for the 'fully functioning person' and 'unconditional positive regard.'
Concept Tested & Keywords
  • Concept Tested: Theories of Personality and Mental Health
  • Stem keywords: self-actualisation, fifteen basic personality characteristics
  • Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
  • Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QW7eHAbv13O6AnQWlO_6uk

Reference Book

E6 Psychology Baron Misra 5e Part 2 p. 93-95

E6 Robert Boland, Marcia L. Verduin - Kaplan and Sadock's Comprehensive Text of Psychiatry-Wolters Kluwer Health (2024) (pp 1-16525 of 16525) p. 3173-3175

Practise the full AIIMS BHOPAL NO- 2018( Shift-2nd)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.

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