tualization of inherent potentialities (Maddi, 1989, p. 11). For Maslow, actualization of inherent potentialities virtually ensures development of a self-concept. Maslow calls the push toward realizing one's potentialities the self-actualizing tendency.
Maslow also recognizes another tendency, common to all persons and therefore part of the core of personality. This is the push to satisfy needs ensuring physical and psychological survival. The model for this tendency is that of needing help rather than pursuing fulfillment (Maddi, 1989, p. 111). According to Maslow, the survival tendency appears prior to, or is more basic than, the actualization tendency in that a certain amount of satisfaction of former is necessary before the person can engage in vigorous exhibition of the latter. However, one tendency is not more important than the other. The survival tendency can only maintain life, but the actualization tendency can enhance it. The major task of childhood is to satisfy the survival tendency, although once this is accomplished, the actualizing tendency increases and can be applied at any point in life.
Maslow names core characteristics of personality that correspond to the two core tendencies. In the case of the tendency to satisfy physical and psychological survival needs, Maslow lists physiological needs, safety needs, needs for belongingness and love, and esteem needs. All of these are more relevant to survival, or the repairing of deficits, than to the fulfillment of one's potentialities. They are also intended to be hierarchical. For example, when the physiological needs are satisfied, the safety needs become important and can be met; when the physiological and safety needs are both satisfied, the needs for belongingness and love become important and can be fulfilled (Maddi, 1989, pp. 114-115).
The core characteristics relevant to the actualizing tendency. He lists two needs that are more basic than t...