The Highest Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchical Needs: Self-actualization and Self-transcendence

Maslow, toward the end of his life, highlighted a new stage of needs called self-transcendence, which represents the highest level of his hierarchy in a phenomenological structure for psychological aspects. Self-transcendence indicates both intrinsic and extrinsic developmental processes of an individual, producing independence, self-actualization, identity achievement, and effective social connection. This study is the first to express the statement of self-transcendence in Turkish language. It also evaluated that cultural and individualized factors of recent studies may present differences in self-actualization and self-transcendence, leading to consideration of developing tests and scales related to self-transcendence level, hoping to update services in education, psychology, and counseling.

Study at a glance

Abstract

According to the study of Koltko-Rivera (2006), Maslow, toward the end of his life, highlighted a new stage of needs in the name of self-transcendence The level of “selftranscendence” representing the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchical needs in phenomenological structure for psychological aspect, indicates both intrinsic and extrinsic developmental process of individual. For instance, independence, self-actualization, identity achievement and effective social connection are the products of “self-transcendence”. This study is the first in related field to literally express the statement of self-transcendence in Turkish language. Besides, it was evaluated the cultural and individualized factors of recent studies might present differences in the area of selfactualization and self-transcendence. Thus, it was considered to develop tests and scales related to the level of self-transcendence. Specifically, hoping to be more beneficial to update the services given in the field of education, psychology and counselling by considering the new needs of individual.