POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

SELF-FULFILLMENT AMONG SELECTED MIDDLE ADULTHOOD

FILIPINO GAYS, LESBIANS AND BISEXUALS
(CHAPTER II)

SUBMITTED BY:
Abainza, Eiro
Arpon, James Christopher
Awa, Paolo
Baniqued, Annabelle
Caballero, Elijah Miguel
Cadungon, Rochelle Mae
Catacutan, Mowell
Darlucio, Zhariel
Inductivo, Rick Bryann
Lawan, Jason
Vallespin, Vim Boom
BSBA-MM 1-2D

SUBMITTED TO:
Prof. Cora Cabigao Constantino
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Published Journal

Title: A Pilot Study of Self-Actualization Activity Measurement

Self-actualization, according to Abraham Maslow, represents the growth of an individual

physiologically, psychologically and socially to fulfill the highest need, thus resulting to
realizing of an individual’s true potential. People who had achieved self-actualization tend to
be contented and fulfilled with their lives. They tend to spend significant amount of time with
altruistic or selfless activities (D’Souza, 2015). For an individual to achieve self-
actualization, they are to undergo a certain process that is not fixed, but depending on the
situation that they are in. Different people undergo different processes. In this case, regarding
individuals involved in the LGBT Group, they undergo a certain process which is somewhat
different. The main problem they are facing when it comes to self-actualization is acceptance.
Whether accepting themselves or other people accepting them. Majority of them are afraid to
admit because of the possible loss that they will encounter. Usually, gay people encounter
this type of situation wherein their parents, usually the father, is having a hard time accepting
that their son is actually a different person. Often times, they are the ones being teased by
others for being gay. However, in this present generation, the LGBT Community has a
widespread of supporters; allowing them to be more comfortable as a lot of people actually
support and accept them for who they really are. Therefore, they now have a higher chance
to achieve self-actualization as acceptance plays a major role, and is now readily and willingly
given to them.

Reference:

D’Souza, J. Fuss, B. Adams, K. “A Pilot Study of Self-Actualization Activity Measurement”

(2015) Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/273447443
_A_Pilot_Study_of_Self-Actualization_Activity_Measurement
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Title: Coming Out of Millennial Filipino Gay Men

In the 1960s here in the Philippines, the issues about homosexuality was rarely discussed.
But nowadays, international gay rights movement is putting a public discourse about this
topic. Generally, there is tolerance for Filipino gay men before (Foe, 2016), and it is more
evident now in the Philippines. However, some are still homophobic due to colonization of
Americans and Spaniards wherein homosexuality is considered as a sin. Even though
Filipinos are lenient to gay men and other LGBT members, there is still an existing
discrimination circulating within the society. In relation to that, love is considered to be the
greatest self-fulfillment anyone could achieve but the reality of unrequited love for those who
are homosexual is undeniably unavoidable. The highest number of unrequited love
experiences of young gay men was more than ten (Manalastas, 2011) and this has different
effects which are mostly negative such as depression, anxiety, fear, and for the worst case
scenario suicide. In the present, finding a partner is a lot easier with the help of technological
advancement resulting to applications, geo-social networking in particular, such as Grindr.
Grindr is perceived as a dating application by the users who are looking for a person that are
similar to them (Castaneda, 2018). Through technology, socializing became easier to LGBTs
primarily in terms of finding a partner that will aid them to fulfill their selves. Aside from
using dating applications, millennial Filipino gay men usually prefer face-to-face disclosure
of their sexual orientation because having a direct interaction to other people especially those
who are alike to them is more effective in expressing one’s self which will make them
confident and feel part of the community.

Reference:

Abcede, et, al., (2016). COMING OUT OF MILLENNIAL FILIPINO GAY MEN.
Castañeda, J. G. (2015). Philippine Journal of Psychology. Grindring the Self: Young
Filipino, 29-58. Foe, J. (2014). Electronic Journal of Human Sexuality. The 1960s
Gay Life in the Philippines: Discretion with Tolerance.
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Book

Title: Family Life Education with Diverse Population

LGBT elder members tend to live more in poverty for the reason that private and federal
programs prioritize heterosexuals and excludes the latter. In comparing the lives of LGBT
elder members, LGBT youth, and heterosexuals, LGBT elder members experience isolation
and more likely to live alone. Considering lifetime and events of the past that was experienced
by LGBT elder members they have acquire unique set of strengths. They share common
culture, cultivated skills of self-reliance and resilience throughout life. They developed
coping up skills, support networks in dealing with a hostile environment. Since many LGBT
elder members experienced coming of age before the modern LGBT rights movement they
may be not out to friends, providers, family and supporters. Their life experiences may be
different in their coming of age stage but their shared experiences contributed in the modern
LGBT society acceptance and rights movements. LGBT adults are unique in a way that they
have focused on efforts to attempt to change their sexual orientation; no exploration of the
topic of ethics is complete without the acknowledgement of this reality. (Maurer, 2011)

Reference:

Ballard, Sharon M., Taylor, Allan C. (2012). Family Life Education with Diverse Population.
Retrieved from https://books.google.com.ph/books?id=onSwVBJOyscC&pg=
PA259&dq=life+of+adult+lgbt&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiczZbgxbDdAhUTd
94KHQpbDSgQ6AEIWTAJ#v=onepage&q&f=false
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Related Literatures

Foreign Literature

Title: To be Happy and Fulfilled as Gay Men We Need to Break Out of the Box

In the past generation it is evident that being gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual, et cetera,
is considered as a sin. For many gay men, it is really challenging to feel good enough, to feel
like they belong and feel equal within the society, so a gay admitting one’s sexuality is not
that easy. But according to Darren Stehle (2018), the first and vital role to be happy and
fulfilled as gay men is to break out of the box. This means that you need to come out and
show everyone who you really are, and be accepted by your friends, family and the society,
so that you can move freely and achieve the happiness that you want. For some people who
realize their sexual orientation or gender identity, sharing that information with family and
friends is often a gradual process that can only be unfold over a series of years making it more
difficult and challenging to come out. Some gay men lived their lives of not always speaking
the truth, withholding who they really are from other people, and when they come out, they
feel shame for doing it. But the reality is that when a person unboxes their hidden, suppressed
truths, you give other people life and yourself the freedom. This is where change begins, with
the awareness of knowing that other people knows who you are, the held back secrets and
desires you are hiding you will now know how to fit in the society. There are some instances
that a person has admitted his or her own belief of their actual gender but not expressing their
real identity, they are already accepted by their community but they are boxing themselves to
conform to social norms. According to Darren Stehle (2018), happiness and fulfillment on
gay men is not the lovely things they may have, a perfect partner, a quality car and fashionable
clothes. They may enjoy the finer things in life like the freedom to travel, to eat out at nice
restaurants, to contribute or volunteer for charitable causes. Gay men might even have
adopted the perfectly straight lifestyle and got married. But these things will only make them
comfortable and secure. Possessions, a great career, and lots of money are worthwhile
endeavors. Yes, money allows more freedom of choice, but deeper comfort, contentment
comes from showing who you really are, and getting fully accepted by other people without
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
conditions. Experiencing acceptance from your peers, community and most especially family,
for who you really are, as a proud gay man, when you do not need to feel ashamed when
showing your gifts, talents and voice. This is where a person as a gay man will achieve the
happiness and self-fulfillment that he wants.

Reference:

Stehle, D. (2018, January 24). To Be Happy and Fulfilled As Gay Men We Need To Break
Out Of The Box. Retrieved from https://medium.com/th-ink/to-be-happy-and -
fulfilled-as-gay-men-we-need-to-break-out-of-the-box-2a99d8784042

Title: Being LGBT in Asia: The Philippines Country Report

There is an organization, namely the United Nations Development Programme, which

conducted a research and made a statistical conclusion about the successes of individuals who
are part of the LGBT community in Asia, specifically in the Philippines. They stated that
“Most (77%) of the participating LGBT organizations in the national dialogue work with
other change agents, with 63 percent working specifically with other LGBT organizations.
These groups may not belong to a national or regional network, but 66 percent know that
network groups exist. Sixty-four percent claimed that LGBT organizations easily join
networks and coalitions with other change agents to address common issues. Forming
collaborations and coalitions with non-LGBT organizations remain challenging with 77
percent of the participants encountering difficulties in interacting effectively with the
government and the legislature. However, there are positive changes noted, with some of the
organizations already included in bodies such as the Local AIDS Councils. More than half
(59%) of the LGBT organizations surveyed have been able to mobilize communities to
address priority issues, including campaigning for an anti-discrimination ordinance in their
localities, and local sexual and reproductive health issues. Overall, on a scale of one to 10,
the participants rated their average collaborative efforts as 6.3.” (UNDP, 2014)
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Reference:

UNDP, USAID. “Being LGBT in Asia: The Philippines Country Report” (2014) Retrieved
from http://www.ph.undp.org/content/dam/philippines/docs/Governance/Philippines
% 20Report_Final.pdf

Title: The Theory of Self-Actualization

There are a lot of factors or determinants that affect self-actualization among individuals
who are part of the LGBT Group. Some of them are influenced by the people in their
surroundings. Some are abused that led them to change who they are. Some are confused
regarding their own identity which leads to being gender neutral, et cetera. However, all of
these factors lead to one common and main factor which is achieving self-actualization.
Individuals who are part of the LGBT Group realize that they are not who they believe they
are supposed to be. Possibly, they feel constrained regarding their lifestyle before. They feel
like it is not the right way of living for them. Carl Rogers also created a theory implicating a
“growth potential” whose aim was to integrate congruently the “real self” and the “ideal self”
thereby cultivating the emergence of the “fully functioning person”. According also to
Maslow’s theory, individuals who achieved self-actualization are more capable of performing
and positively contributing to the society, the community, et cetera with their true potential.
Thus, members of the LGBT community believe that they realize their true potential as an
individual, therefore leading to self-fulfillment. (Rogers, 1951; Olson, 2013)

Reference:

Olson, A., “The Theory of Self-Actualization” (2013). Retrieved from

https://www.psychologytoday.com/intl/blog/theory-and-
psychopathology/201308/the-theory-self-actualization
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Local Literature

Title: About Us (GALANG Organization)

Every people is aiming to achieve their goals in life such as stable work, house, car,
family, financial stability, healthy body, and et cetera. Members of the LGBT community
also dream of having these in their life but sometimes they are restricted to do so due to the
discrimination and standards established by the society. These constraints affect every
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender within the community which results to the eagerness
to help one another. Self-fulfillment is not just about being happy or having the luxuries of
the world, it is also about helping others to achieve one goal which is the well-being of all.
Example of this is the creation of organizations, GALANG in particular, that promotes social
awareness, unity, rights, and justice. According to the webpage entitled “Who we are” (2010),
GALANG is a non-government organization (NGO) started from regular and casual
conversations of a small group of lesbians which turned into meetings about the things that
they can do as a group to uphold and contest the rights of LGBT community by espousing,
aspiring, and empowering the feminist values which is composed of respect, economic
justice, equality, diversity, and fairness. It also developed a model that supports the poor
LGBTs who are suffering from discrimination, limited access to education, and less
employment opportunity. The founders and members of this organization observed that a
large segment of LGBT community is poor especially the predominant face of local LGBTs.
The organization works with lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender to alleviate poverty
and alter the current reality that creates a struggling effect to those who are considered as
different and outcasts of the society. With this, dispersal of social awareness will hasten thru
the promotion of this kind of organizations formed by concerned individuals who are eager
to change the existing problems of the environment which will lead to self-fulfillment.

Reference:

About Us. (2010, December 20). Retrieved from GALANG Philippines:

http://www.galangphilippines.org/about/who-we-are/
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Related Studies

Foreign Thesis

Title: Factors that Affect Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students’ Efforts toward Self-
Actualization at a Private, Religious College: A Phenomenological Study

To self-actualize is to reach one’s full potential, to make one’s true self his or her daily
reality, including achieving full use of one’s capacities and talents. An individual often finds
himself or herself through the actions he/she does every day in a manner in which he/she is
comfortable and can express his/her full potential. For example, in a workplace, an employee
or worker tends to perform better when they enjoy the environment of the workplace, their
fellow workers or employees, the income, as well as the job or work itself. If everything given
in that workplace is favorable towards them, it produces a self-actualized individual. Same
goes with LGBT people. They tend to enjoy life more once they actualize who they really
are. Self-actualization in their side is more complex because it requires major sacrifices.
However, once they got to that point of self-actualization, they can, then, live life portraying
their full potential. Ergo, portraying the full capacity of that individual to contribute be it in
the society and/or in their social life. (Crain, 2016; Maslow, 1943, 1965; Gormley, 2017).
Reference:

Gormley, John B., "Factors that Affect Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Students’ Efforts toward
Self-Actualization at a Private, Religious College: A Phenomenological Study"
(2017). Education Doctoral. Paper 335.

Title: Health Care Disparities Among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: A
Literature Review

About 3.5% Americans identify themselves as lesbian, gay, or bisexual while 0.3%
identify themselves as transgender. The LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender)
community belongs to almost every race, ethnicity, religion, age, and socioeconomic group.
The LGBT youth are at a higher risk for substance use, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs),
cancers, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, bullying, isolation, rejection, anxiety, depression,
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
and suicide as compared to the general population. LGBT youth receive poor quality of care
due to stigma, lack of healthcare providers’ awareness, and insensitivity to the unique needs
of this community (Hafeez H., Zeshan M., Tahir M. A., et al.,2017). This indicates that the
LGBT’s are being disregarded and unequally treated by the society. There is no proper
humane health care support to the health risks an LGBT youth might possess, there is no
effective dissemination of awareness and appropriate guidance which leads to sickness,
mental health disorder, and death. If there is no action done, these will worsen until it is not
manageable anymore.

Reference:

Hafeez H., Zeshan M., Tahir M. A., et al. (2017). Health Care Disparities Among Lesbian,

Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Youth: A Literature Review. Cureus. 9(4):e1184

Title: The social environment and suicide attempts in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth

This study documents an association between an objective measure of the social

environment and suicide attempts among lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth. LGB are
significantly more likely to attempt suicide compared with heterosexuals (21.5% vs 4.2%).
The risk of attempting suicide was 20% greater in unsupportive environments compared to
supportive environments. The social environment appears to confer risk for suicide attempts
over and above individual-level risk factors. A more supportive social environment was
significantly associated with fewer suicide attempts, controlling for sociodemographic
variables and multiple risk factors for suicide attempts including depressive symptoms, binge
drinking, peer victimization, and physical abuse by an adult. These results have important
implications for the development of policies and interventions to reduce sexual orientation-
related disparities in suicide attempts among LGB youths.

Reference:

Hatzenbuehler, M. (2011). The Social Environment and Suicide Attempts in Lesbian, Gay,

and Bisexual Youth. Pediatrics. 127(5): 896–903.

 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Local Thesis

Title: Living a Satisfied Sexual Identity: Discovering Wonders and Unveiling Secrets of
Selected Filipino LGBT Adults

The importance of studying sexual identity contributes to different fields such as

psychology, social work and women’s studies for it has been a venue in addressing
developmental and relational aspects of sexuality. ‘Satisfaction’ as a contract to be subjective
experience wherein the person appraises one’s feelings during idiosyncratic experience, and
is considered as a psychological variable evaluated by a personal meaning. While ‘Sexuality’
is the “I” factor each individual possess through repetitive performances of a certain discourse
that produce a certain sense of uniqueness. Along with this two key words, the study will find
out the development of a unique psychological construct and different aspects that constitutes
to the ‘sexual identity satisfaction’ among Filipino lesbian, gay and bisexual population. The
results of the study show that sexual identity satisfaction is characterized by a positive
subjective state of an individual towards his chosen sexual orientation that comprises of
internal or personal factors such as; self-affirmation, self-acceptance, personal values and
beliefs, coping styles and psychological well-being, and external or environmental factors
such as perceived social competence and support from family and peers. A person with
strong self-affirmation enable them to adopt more with different life situations that lead to the
notion that, the higher level of valuing, the higher level of self-affirming. Individual attitude’s
also enable them to have sense of self-worth and strive more to protect themselves. The study
emphasized the value of social support to experience the feeling to satisfaction, in relation to
the support of family and peers. Support groups exclusively for sexual minorities are also
significant to them since it fully expresses their sexuality and have a stable group of affiliation
and identity. In terms of personal values and beliefs, there is an application of Filipino
psychology with the concept of kalooban or the so-called core of an individual that reflects
on the external actions that are observable or the panlabas. According to Hernandez and
Bance (2015), Once these factors are attained, therefore, Sexual Identity Satisfaction
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
comprises of well-adjusted character of an individual, integration, commitment and synthesis
of personality, positive outlook in life and most of all, the sense of happiness within.

Reference:

Angelbert, Z. H., & Lucila, O. B. (2015). Living a satisfied sexual identity: Discovering
wonders and unveiling secrets of selected Filipino LGB adults. International Journal
of Psychology and Counselling, 7(1), 5-10. doi:10.5897/ijpc2014.0289

Dissertation

Title: Accepting Me as I Am: Examining The Coming-Out Experiences of Lgbt Adults

The research of Boisseau (2015) has shown that it can be worthwhile for lesbian women
and gay men to disclose their sexual orientation. Research has also established a link between
accepting family attitudes towards lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) children
can significantly decrease risk and increase well-being into adulthood. The results of the
research showed that most LGBT people have hidden their sexuality due to fear and rejection
of family and friends. Closer research has revealed that many LGBT people have sacrificed
their happiness by settling for heterosexual relationships to fit society’s norm of what is
acceptable. Compromises such as this have led to failed heterosexual relationships. LGBT
mental health has also been an aspect of sexual orientation, resulting in eating disorders and
depression. However, the research showed that once LGBT persons decided to reveal their
sexual orientation and accepted their authentic self, their mental health significantly
improved. The stakeholders in this study all agreed that coming out was the best thing they
could have done but some stated they wished they did it earlier. Coming out provided those
with a sense of relief, free from fear of being outed. The stakeholders recommended that
LGBT people who want to come out receive counseling, be selective about who they tell,
have support from someone they trust, and not have expectations but be open to anything.
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
Reference:

Boisseau, S.(2015,May) Accepting Me As I Am: Examining The Coming-Out Experiences

Of LGBT Adults. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com
/docview/1699340621/5 DF4430CD0494B81PQ/13?accountid=173015

Title: Development of Self Identity as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender

According to Kietzer (2015), an understanding of the LGBT experience on individual,

social, and community levels can help promote successful implementation and utilization of
prevention and intervention techniques to help individuals foster a secure sense of self
regardless of their sexuality. LGBT individuals more often than not encounter what appears
to be insurmountable barriers (both internal and external) hinder the coming out process and
acceptance of one’s self in all areas of life. The coming out process is defined as public
disclosure of an individual’s self-identification or sexual identity as LGBT. Self-
identification and public disclosure does not infer self-acceptance of one’s sexual identity.
Being in denial or rejecting one’s sexuality causes strife and dissonance within oneself and
this denial/rejection can be a contributor to a negative view of self. The self-identification,
disclosure, and acceptance of one’s sexual orientation is impacted by factors on an individual,
social, and community level.

References:

Kietzer, C. (2015, March) Development of Self Identity as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual,

Trangender. Retrieved fromhttp://alfredadler.edu/sites/default/files/Kietzer%20MP%
202015.pdf

Title: Coming Out: Implications for Self-Esteem and Depression in Gay and Lesbian
Individuals

Self-disclosing one’s sexual orientation to others, also known as coming out, can be both
liberating and terrifying for gay and lesbian individuals. The initial stages of the coming out
process may be fraught with emotional difficulty; however, research indicates that gay and
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
lesbian individuals who have accepted and integrated their sexual orientations ultimately have
greater psychological well-being than those who have not (Henry,2013). The purpose of this
study was to examine how coming out is related to two specific psychological constructs:
self-esteem and depression. Results indicate that gay and lesbian individuals who have come
out to many people in their lives have higher self-esteem and lower depression levels than
those who have come out to very few people or no one. Additionally, this study found that
the length of time that has elapsed since initially coming out was positively correlated with
self-esteem scores. Compared with participants’ depression level and self-esteem
immediately following their first self-disclosure of sexual orientation, current depression
level was lower and current self-esteem was higher, suggesting that these two psychological
constructs tend to improve after coming out, as time goes on

Reference:

Henry, M.M.(2013, May)Coming Out: Implications For Self-Esteem And Depression In Gay
And Lesbian Individuals. Retrieved from http://humboldt-dspace.calstat
e.edu/bitstream/handle/2148/1492/henry_meghan_m_Sp2013.pdf?sequence=1
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

What is Self-Actualization? A Definition

Self-actualization was originally introduced by the organismic theorist Kurt
Goldstein for the motive to realize one's full potential. The concept was brought most fully to
prominence in Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Theory. Maslow defined self-
actualization by claiming that “What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-
actualization” (Maslow, 1943).
Self-actualization has also been described as “the psychological process aimed at
maximizing the use of a person’s abilities and resources. This process may vary from one
person to another” (Couture et al., 2007). In other words, for human purposes, self-
actualization can be thought of as the full realization of one’s creative, intellectual, or social
potential. Since it is based on imposing one’s abilities to reach their own potential, it is a very
personal process and can greatly differ from person-to-person. This recognition of individual
motivations is a key part of Maslow’s work, and what he felt differentiated it from the
contemporary motivational psychology of his early career.
Abraham Maslow
Abraham Maslow was born in New York in 1908 and studied psychology and Gestalt
psychology at the University of Wisconsin and the New School for Social Research,
respectively (Encyclopædia Brittanica). He was originally interested in philosophy as an
adolescent, but soon became frustrated with “all the talking that didn’t get anyplace” and soon
switched his focus to psychology, which he felt was more applicable to the real world (Frick,
2000).
Maslow was first drawn to behaviorism in psychology but soon rejected it, though he
still retained a strong loyalty to positivism throughout his life (Hoffman, 2008). When he first
started his studies, Maslow considered himself a “very timid boy”. Because of this timidity
and the isolation it caused, he partially attributes his later interest in self-actualization and the
optimization of the human experience (Frick, 2000).
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
As a father witnessing the horrors of World War Two with two children, the horrors of
mass warfare gave him a sense of urgency and he pivoted his focus to human motivation and
self-actualization (Hoffman, 2008). It is clear that Maslow’s research interests were driven
by personal experience and shared experiences, which helps explain his contributions to
humanistic psychology.
Soon after Maslow began his career, he became frustrated with the two “forces” of
psychology at the time, which were Freudian psychoanalysis and behavioral psychology
(Koznjak, 2017). Maslow believed that psychoanalysis focused too much on “the sick half of
psychology” and not enough on “the healthy half”. On the other hand, he believed that
behaviorism did not focus enough on how humans differ from the animals studied in
behaviorism. He thus contributed to the third force of psychology that arose in response to
this frustration which is humanistic psychology.
Humanistic psychology gained influence for its appreciation for the fundamental
inviolability of the human experience (Bugental, 1963). One of these factors was the Gestalt
psychology-influenced idea that human beings were more than just the sum of their parts, and
that understanding humanity would take more than just understanding each part of a person.
From this idea sprouted Maslow’s main contribution to humanistic psychology, his theory of
motivation that focused on his hierarchy of needs.
The Theory of Self-Actualization and the Hierarchy of Needs
The hierarchy of needs comes from Maslow’s belief that “the fundamental desires of
human beings are similar despite the multitude of conscious desires” (Zalenski & Raspa,
2006).
In his seminal paper on human motivation, Maslow describes his hierarchy of needs as
being made up of five needs, which are physiological, safety, love, esteem, and self-
actualization (Maslow, 1943). As shown in Figure 1, it is arranged in a pyramidal manner
from bottom to top. Maslow describes these needs as “being arranged in a hierarchy of
prepotency”.
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Figure 1. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

This five-stage model can be divided into deficiency needs and growth needs. As shown
in Figure 2, the first four levels are often referred to as deficiency needs (D-needs), and the
top level is known as growth or being needs (B-needs).

Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are said to motivate people when they are
unmet. Also, the motivation to fulfill such needs will become stronger the longer the duration
they are denied. For example, the longer a person goes without food, the hungrier they will
become.

Maslow initially stated that individuals must satisfy lower level deficit needs before
progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. However, he later clarified that satisfaction
of a needs is not an “all-or-none” phenomenon, admitting that his earlier statements may have
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
given “the false impression that a need must be satisfied 100 percent before the next need
emerges” (Maslow, 1987, p. 69).

When a deficit need has been 'more or less' satisfied it will go away, and our activities
become habitually directed towards meeting the next set of needs that we have yet to satisfy.
These then become our salient needs. However, growth needs continue to be felt and may
even become stronger once they have been engaged.

Figure 2. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Deficiency and growth needs.

Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something, but rather from a desire to grow as
a person. Once these growth needs have been reasonably satisfied, one may be able to reach
the highest level called self-actualization.

Every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of
self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower level
needs such as life experiences, including divorce and loss of a job. This may cause an
individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy. Therefore, not everyone will move
 POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
through the hierarchy in a uni-directional manner but may move back and forth between the
different types of needs.

Our most basic need is physiological which is in the bottom of the pyramid. This will be
the first thing that motivates our behavior. Once that level is fulfilled the next level up is what
motivates us, and so on.

Figure 3. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with Requirements

As shown in Figure 3, Physiological needs are biological requirements for human
survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, and sleep. If these needs are not
satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. Maslow considered physiological needs
the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met.

Next is Safety needs which requires personal security, employment and being healthy.

After physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled, the third level of human needs
is social and involves feelings of belongingness. The need for interpersonal relationships
motivates behavior. Examples are friendship, intimacy, trust, and acceptance, receiving and
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giving affection and love. Affiliating, being part of a group which are family, friends and
work.

In the fourth level, there is Esteem needs which Maslow classified into two categories.
The first category is esteem for oneself which are dignity, achievement, mastery, and
independence, while the second category is the desire for reputation or respect from others,
for example status and prestige. Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is
most important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity.

And once all of the first four level was met, one can start fulfilling the Self-actualization
needs which is realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and
peak experiences. According to Maslow, “a desire to become everything one is capable of
becoming” (Maslow, 1987, p. 64). Self-actualization occurs when you maximize your
potential, doing the best that you are capable of doing.

Maslow studied individuals whom he believed to be self-actualized, including Abraham

Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, and Albert Einstein, to derive the common characteristics of the
self-actualized person. From Maslow’s book which is Motivation and Personality, here are
15 characteristics of a self-actualized person:

1. They perceive reality efficiently and can tolerate uncertainty;

2. Accept themselves and others for what they are;
3. Spontaneous in thought and action;
4. Problem-centered (not self-centered);
5. Unusual sense of humor;
6. Able to look at life objectively;
7. Highly creative;
8. Resistant to enculturation, but not purposely unconventional;
9. Concerned for the welfare of humanity;
10. Capable of deep appreciation of basic life-experience;
11. Establish deep satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few people;
12. Peak experiences;
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13. Need for privacy;
14. Democratic attitudes; and
15. Strong moral/ethical standards.

The behaviors leading to self-actualization are shown in the list below.

(a) Experiencing life like a child, with full absorption and concentration;

(b) Trying new things instead of sticking to safe paths;

(c) Listening to your own feelings in evaluating experiences instead of the voice of
tradition, authority or the majority;

(d) Avoiding pretense ('game playing') and being honest;

(e) Being prepared to be unpopular if your views do not coincide with those of the
majority;

(f) Taking responsibility and working hard; and

(g) Trying to identify your defenses and having the courage to give them up.

References:

Abraham Maslow (2016). Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from

https://www.britannica.com/biography/Abraham-H-Maslow.

Bugental, J.F.T. (1963). Humanistic Psychology – A New Breakthrough. American

Psychologist 18(9), 563-567. doi:10.1037/h0048666

Couture, M., Desrosiers, J., Leclerc, G. (2007). Self-actualization and poststroke

rehabilitation. International Journal of Rehabilitation Research, 30(2), 111-117.
doi:10.1097/MRR.0b013e32813a2ea5

Frick, W.B. (2000). Remembering Maslow: Reflections on a 1968 interview. Journal of

Humanistic Psychology 40(2), 128-147. doi:10.1177/0022167800402003
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Hoffman, E. (2008). Abraham Maslow: A biographer’s reflections. Journal of
Humanistic Psychology 48(4), 439-443. doi:10.1177/0022167808320534

Koznjak, B. (2017). Kuhn Meets Maslow: The Psychology Behind Scientific

Revolutions. Journal for General Philosophy of Science 48(2), 257-287. doi:10.1007/s10838-
016-9352-x

Maslow, A.H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review 50(1), 370-
396. doi:10.1037/h0054346

Maslow, A.H. (1970). Motivation and Personality. New York: Harper & Row.

Maslow, A. H. (1987). Motivation and personality (3rd ed.). Delhi, India: Pearson
Education.

McLeod, S. A. (2018, May 21). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Retrieved from

https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html

Zalenski, R.J., Raspa, R. (2006). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: A framework for

achieving human potential in hospice. Journal of Palliative Medicine 9(5), 1120-1127.
doi:10.1089/jpm.2006.9.1120