Self-actualization and research activity among university professors.

Abstract

This dissertation investigated the relationship of self-actualization and the professional activity of research and writing among university professors. The population of the study was the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Oklahoma, fall semester, 1981. Abraham Maslow's theory of self-actualization forms the basis of the study. Self reporting instruments used were the Jones Self-Actualizing Scale, and an instrument developed locally--the Professional Academic Activities Index.

Recommendations were: (1) to initiate a revision of the instruments used; (2) to develop additional instruments to measure other professional activities; (3) to conduct further studies on the relationship of self-actualization to research activity and other professional activities at the University of Oklahoma and at other universities and colleges; and, (4) to encourage studies on self-actualization and professional activities peculiar to other professions such as the legal, political, social, medical, and clerical (ministry).

The question of this study is: Is self-actualization related to the academic activity of research and writing? It is hypothesized that self-actualization contributes to professional research activity. Correlations of the elements measuring each variable were performed and analyzed. An analysis of variance was also conducted. The findings did not reveal significance. The hypothesis was not substantiated.