Self-actualization was originally defined as the process of realizing one's full potential and pursuing personal growth, described as the highest level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. However,
Maslow's framework referenced only a few internal needs, leading to a misinterpretation of self-actualization as merely one of the needs rather than an ongoing process. People achieve self-actualization by accumulating experiences, which can be seen as the fulfilment of needs. Nevertheless, self-actualization in the context of meaning and purpose in life is much more complex.
The importance of meaning and purpose in life has long been recognized in the work of Victor Frankl and logotherapy. The aim of this poster is to propose a new conceptual model of self-actualization as a dynamic process that integrates the fulfillment of needs and the accumulation of experiences with the development of meaning and purpose in life. Building on Maslow's and Frankl's theories, the model emphasizes the role of emotional and experiential learning, especially the confrontation of internal fears and challenges, in achieving maturity, well-being and self-actualization skills. Experiences can be categorized as external and internal. All people needs provide the impetus that drives people to seek experiences in the external world, while conscious and unconscious fears give them the opportunity to overcome them and thereby gain internal experiences or self-actualization skills (e.g., responsibility, acceptance, forgiveness). The key to self-actualization and the meaning of life lies in experiential and emotional understanding of what is important and what is not.
This model offers a framework for fostering well-being through real-life experiences and emotional awareness. Through counseling sessions that encourage individuals to confront fears, cultivate acceptance, and find meaning in experience, it offers practical guidance for personal growth and resilience.