Do Interpreting Artists Follow the Way of Self-Actualization?

The purpose of this article was to explore how self-concept functions in connection to motivation and well-being in artists. Specifically, we looked for such people who follow the path of self-actualization. In this article, we introduce unique nomothetic data supporting-as we argue-the existence of...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Humanistic psychologist 2022-12, Vol.50 (4), p.529-543
Main Authors: Bartnicka-Michalska, Aneta, Oleś, Piotr K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Artists
Female
Human
Job satisfaction
Male
Motivation
Musicians
Phenomenology
Psychological aspects
Self-Actualization
Self-Concept
Visual artists
Volition
Well Being
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The purpose of this article was to explore how self-concept functions in connection to motivation and well-being in artists. Specifically, we looked for such people who follow the path of self-actualization. In this article, we introduce unique nomothetic data supporting-as we argue-the existence of Rogerian self-concept in a group of interpretive artists (dancers, musicians, and singers). In a larger study focused on motivation and well-being in artists (n = 132), using k-means cluster analysis, we found a small subgroup of artists (11%) characterized by high well-being, motivation, and strength of volition accompanied by low self-concept clarity, whereas in a much larger group, and according to published results, self-concept clarity corresponds with well-being and adaptive functioning. As we argue, there are two ways of optimal psychological functioning in artists: one based on clear self-concept and another on conceptually unclear but phenomenologically obvious self-concept-Rogerian-and both connected with high well-being, motivation, and strength of volition. According to Rogers' phenomenological theory, self-concept is by definition flexible, which implies that low self-concept clarity is a result of the process of experience. Interpretive artists from a given group could identify themselves with their self-actualizing artistic activity and experience their selves in terms of an ongoing process; thus, they did not formulate a stable and coherent self-concept. Our reasoning is based on questionnaire data. Thus, further research should combine qualitative and quantitative data on artists' psychological functioning.
ISSN:0887-3267
1547-3333
DOI:10.1037/hum0000271