In this article we will discuss the difference Between Self-Actualization and Self-Esteem. Self-actualization and self-esteem are two concepts used mainly in humanistic psychology especially in the study of personality and human development. The meaning and usage of these two terms have evolved over time from how they were first coined and defined. Along with this evolution was the introduction of other terms and concepts that were confused with each other. The most popular definition of the two words is Abraham Maslow who used these two terms in his theory of motivation under the hierarchy of needs.
These two terms may start with the same word, but they are very different. Self-actualization, even in its evolution, is seen as a drive, an end goal or a process in itself. Self-esteem on the other hand, outside of Maslow’s theory, is more of a personality trait or circumstance. Difference Between Self Actualization and Self-Esteem and others are discussed further in the following article.
What is Self-Actualization?
In modern and popular concepts, self-actualization is the tendency to fulfill one’s potential. Carl Rogers called it the basic motive while Abraham Maslow considered it not just a higher order but a highest order need, attainable only when the lower needs have been satisfied or at least satisfied to some degree.
Rogers referred to people who have reached their potential as fully functioning individuals while Maslow called them self-actualized individuals. Whatever the case, they list these individual characteristics and what are common to both are creativity, strong interpersonal relationships, and a positive worldview.
Self-actualization was first coined by German neurologist and psychiatrist Kurt Goldstein in his book, The Organism: A Holistic Approach to Biology Derived from Pathological Data in Humans published in 1939. Goldstein described self-actualization as the ultimate goal of every organism, not just humans. .
All other behaviors and drives observed in an organism are merely manifestations of self-actualization. Goldstein also suggested that self-actualization can occur at any point in an organism’s lifespan. As the concept developed, self-actualization has been used interchangeably with the term self-realization, although these two terms have differences.
What is Self-Esteem?
Self-esteem is broadly defined in psychology as an individual’s overall subjective sense of his or her own worth. This includes attitudes, beliefs, and feelings about yourself. Most psychologists agree that self-esteem can be either an enduring personality trait or a temporary state. Most psychologists also agree that self-esteem develops over time, starting in childhood and is influenced by an individual’s interactions with other people, especially parents.
Carl Rogers also called it self-esteem and pointed out that it is the result of congruence between one’s self-image and one’s ideal self. Abraham Maslow called self-esteem one of the esteem needs, the fourth level of need just below the need for self-actualization. People with high levels of self-esteem are said to believe in themselves.
The term itself was first coined by William James, an American philosopher and psychologist, in a multi-volume work entitled, The Principles of Psychology, published in 1890. In that book, James defined self-esteem as the ratio of an individual’s success to his pretensions, the term which James uses for someone’s aspirations or hopes. In James’ conceptualization, self-esteem can be increased either by increasing success or decreasing aspirations.
Difference between Self-Actualization and Self-Esteem
Definition: Self-actualization is the tendency to fulfill one’s potential. Self-esteem is the overall subjective evaluation of a person’s worth.
First use of this term: Self-actualization was created by Kurt Goldstein in 1939, while self-esteem was first used by William James in 1890.
Original concept: Self-actualization was originally conceptualized by Kurt Goldstein as the overall ultimate goal of every organism to actualize its capacity. Self-esteem was first conceptualized by William James as the ratio of success to pretension.
Modern concept: Self-actualization is defined today as the tendency to reach full potential in humans. Self-esteem is now defined as the overall feeling of self-worth.
In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Self-actualization is the highest order need in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs while self-esteem is one of the esteem needs which is the fourth level in the hierarchy, just below self-actualization.
Characteristics in a person: Self-actualized individuals are said to be creative, have strong interpersonal relationships and a positive worldview, while people with high self-esteem are said to have confidence in themselves, take pride in what they do, and are sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. other.
Summary of Differences between Self-Actualization and Self-Esteem
From the explanation above, here is a summary of the Differences between Self-Actualization and Self-Esteem:
- Self-actualization is the need to fulfill one’s potential and self-esteem is a subjective evaluation of one’s overall self
- The meaning and use of self-actualization and self-esteem have evolved and changed from how they were first conceptualized.
- The term self-actualization was coined by Kurt Goldstein to refer to the goal of any organism to actualize its capacity. Today, self-actualization refers to the human need to fulfill one’s potential.
- Self-esteem was first used by William James to refer to the ratio of one’s success to one’s pretensions or aspirations and expectations.
- Self-actualized individuals are creative, have strong relationships, and have a positive world view. Individuals with high self-esteem believe in themselves, take pride in what they do, and are sensitive to the feelings and needs of others.
