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Journal of Personality Assessment

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The Measurement of Self-Actualization:

A Critical Review of the Personal
Orientation Inventory
Donald J. Tosi & Cathy A. Lindamood
Published online: 10 Jun 2010.

To cite this article: Donald J. Tosi & Cathy A. Lindamood (1975) The Measurement of Self-Actualization:
A Critical Review of the Personal Orientation Inventory, Journal of Personality Assessment, 39:3,
215-224, DOI: 10.1207/s15327752jpa3903_1

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 Journal of Personality Assessment, 1975,39, 3

The Measurement of Self-Actualization:

A Critical Review of the Personal Orientation Inventory
DONALD J. TOSI and CATHY A. LIWDAMOOD
College of Education
The Ohio State University
Summary: Shostrom's Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) was reviewed in terms of its
reliability and validity. The use of the POI in counseling and psychotherapeutic settings was
emphasized. Faking and social desirability were also discussed in light of existing evidence.
It was concluded that the POI offers great potential for use in counseling contexts but in its
present st,ate should be considered a research instrument.

Recently, Shostrom (1972) indicated applicable t o grades 9-16 and adults.

several dimensions of personal growth or
self-actualization as counseling and
psychotherapy goals, were measured by
the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI)
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Profiles are provided in the manual for
college students and selected occupation-
al and clinical groups. Administration
requires 30-40)minutes.
Of the 12 scales only two, Time

(Shostrom, 1964). Shostrom's orientation

is derived largely from the humanistic
psychological theory of Maslow (1954,
1962), but the influence of contemporary
humanistic theorists such as May (1958):
Riesman, Glazer, and Denny (1950), and
Perls (1947; Perls, Hefferline, & Good-
man, 1951) in the conceptualization of
the POI is clearly evident. The intent of
this paper is t o provide practicing coun-
selors, psychotherapists, and test users a
current review of research on the reliabil-
ity and validity of the Personal Orienta-
tion Inventory.
The POI, with content based on value
judgment problems identified by psycho-
therapists over a 5 year period, is the only
available inventory designed specifically
to measure self-actualization. The POI as
a means of assessing psychotherapeutic
progress offers much potential. The value
of the POI is indicated by studies using
the instrument as a criterion measure of
changes in self-actualization in sensitivity
groups (Culbert, Clark, & Bobele, 1968),
attitude and personality change during
counselor training (Mazer, Note I), and in
focusing aln positive mental health in
clients during counseling (Foulds, 1970).
The POI Scales
The POI consists of 150 pairs of
two-choice items and is scored for two
major scales and 10 subscales. There is
one form of the inventory and it is
Competence (Tc, 23 items) and Inner Di-
rectedness (I, 127 items) are independent;
the 10 subsca~lesconsist of a reshuffling
of the Tc and I items and display a large
degree of item overlap with each other
averaging 94% (Shostrom, 1964). The 10
subscales are conceptualized as represent-
ing five major areas with each area having
two related yet contrasting subscales. The
areas and subscales are as follows
(Shostrom, 1966):
Time Ratio (TR) - Time Incompe-
tence/Time Competence: the de-
gree to which one is present-
oriented.
Time Incompetence
Example:
(a) I prefer t o save good things for
future use.
(b) I prefer to use good things now.
Time Competence
Example:
(a) For me, the future usually
seems hopeful.
(b) For me, the future often seems
hopeless.
Support Ratio (SR) - Orientation
toward others vs. self (127 items).
Other Directedness
Example:
(a) I already know all I need to
know about my feelings.

(b)As life goes on, I continue to
know more and more about my
feelings.
Inner Directedness
Example:
(a) I must avoid sorrow at all cost.
(b) It is not necessary for me to
avoid sorrow.
1. Valuing:
A. Self-actualizing value (SA V) -
reflects the degree to which the
individual holds the values of
self-actualizing people (26
items).
Example:
(a) I live by values which are in
agreement with others.
(b) I live by values which are pri-
marily based on my own feel-
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ings.
B. Existentiality ( E x ) - the flexi-
bility with which the individual
applies these values t o his own
life (32 items).
Example:
(a) I am concerned with self-
improvement at all times.
(b) I am not concerned with self-
improvement at all times.
2. Feeling:
A. Feeling Reactivity (Fr) - re-
flects the degree of sensitivity
to one's needs and desires (23
items).
Example:
(a) To feel right, I need always to
please others.
(b) I can feel right without always
having to please others.
B. Spontaneity (S) - the ability to
express these feelings spontane-
ously (18 items).
Example:
(a) I am afraid to be angry at those
I love.
( b ) I feel free to be angry at those
I love.
3. Self-perception:
A. Self-regard (Sr) - reflects the
ability to like oneself as a per-
son (I 6 items).
Measurement of Self-Actualization
Example:
(a) It is a good idea t o think about
your greatest potential.
(b) A person who thinks about his
greatest potential gets con-
ceited.
B. Self- acceptance (Sa) - the abil-
ity to accept oneself despite
one's weaknesses (26 items).
Example:
(a) I must justify my actions in the
pursuit of my own interests.
(b) I need not justify my actions in
the pursuit of my own interests.
4. Awareness:
A. Nature of man as constructive
(NC) - reflects the degree to
which the individual views man
as essentially good (16 items).
Example:
(a) A person can completely
change his essential nature.
(b)A person can never change his
essential nature.
B. Synergy (Sy) - the ability to
perceive opposites as related
and meaningful (9 items).
Example:
(a) For me, work and play are the
same.
(b) For me, work and play are
opposites.
5. Interpersonal Sensitivity:
A. Acceptance of aggression (A) -
reflects the degree t o which the
individual accepts his own hos-
tilities or aggression (25 items).
Example:
(a) Men should be assertive and
affirming.
(b) Men should not be assertive and
affirming.
B. Capacity for intimate contact
( C ) - the ability t o maintain
meaningful nonmanipulative re-
lationships (28 items).
Example:
(a) When I really love myself,
everybody will love me.
(b) When I really love myself, there
will still be those who won't
love me.
 DONALD J. TOSI and CATHY A. LINDAMOOD
Norming
Percentile scores and standard scores
on the profile are based on norms of
2,607 entering college freshmen (1,5 14
males and 1,093 females). Sample profiles
are provided for business supervisors,
student nurses, Peace Corps volunteers,
college junilors and seniors, entering col-
lege freshmen, high school students, hos-
pitalized psychiatric patients, delinquent
males, and alcoholic males. Additional
profiles of clinically nominated self-
actualized, normal, and non-self-actual-
ized adult groups are presented in the
manual.
Significant sex differences based on
the norming sample are reported in the
manual for the Tc, Ex, Sa, Nc, and Sy
scales. Even though significant, the mean
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differences per scale were less than one
raw-score point except on Tc (difference
of 1.1 points). Consequently Shostrom
(1966) concludes that these differences
may be of little practical value in individ-
ual interpretation.
Reliability
Shostronn (1964) reports test-retest
reliability coefficients of .91 and .93 for
the Time Ratio and Support Ratio, re-
spectfully, with no mention of the time
lapse. Klavetter and Mogar (1967) report
1 week test-retest reliabilities of the 12
scales (n = 48, range .52 - 3 2 , median =
.705). Ilardi and May (1968) report test-
retest reliabilities of an approximately 50
week time lapse (n = 46, range .32 - .74,
median = .58), and internal consistency
coefficients for the 12 scales (medians:
Tc = .398,1= .652, SA V = .46, Ex = .53,
Fr = .46, S = .55, Sr = .28, Sa = .38, Nc =
.258, Sy = .42, A = .40, C = .42). A
test-retest coefficient of a 9-week time
lapse computed for the mean scale scores
of a control group reported by Foulds
(1969) resulted in an r of .96.
Validity
Construct validity. As the POI is a
pioneering work in attempting to measure
self-actualization, construct validity be-
comes a critical point. Evidence for con-
struct validity is presented by a study
using the POI to differentiate three adult
217
groups who were clinically nominated as
"self-actualized" (n = 29), "normal" (n =
160), and c'non-self-actualized" (n = 34).
The POI significantly differentiated the
self-actualized from the non-self-actual-
ized on 11 scales (Nc was not significant)
(Shostrom, 1964). Furthermore, the self-
actualized group means were greater on
11 scales (Nc was less by .03)than the
normal group, and the non-self-actualized
group means were below the normal
group on all 12 scales (Shostrom, 1966).
It is assumed that Shostrom developed
the self-actualized Time and Support
ratios of 1:8 and 1:3, normal ratios of
1:5 and 1:2.5 and non-self-actuaii :ed
ratios of 1:3 and 1:1 based on these data.
When compared to the Rotter Internal
vs. External Control Scale, (Wall, 1970),
only three scdes correlated significantly
with internal control: Sr(r = .26); SA V (r
= .25); and Nt7 (r = .21). AS the scales of
the POI intercorrelate the most with the I
scale, Wall (11970) concluded that self-
actualization, as measured by the POI, is
relatively independent of Rotter's con-
cept of l o c ~ ~ofs control. This lends
support to the construct of the I scale as
measuring inner-directedness rather than
internal contriol (I to internal control, r =
.07).
Factorial validity. Silverstein and
Fisher (1968) attempted to determine if
item overlap in the POI was responsible
for a built-in factor structure. Using
correlations based solely on item-overlap
and correlations among the scales from
studies by Shostrom (1966), Qavetter
and Mogar (1967), and Fisher (1968)
they factor analyzed all four sets of data
by the ,~rincipalcomponents method.
Three factors were retained for each of
the empirical studies and four for the
overlap correlations. These data were
reanalyzed and rotated to the varimax
criterion. This resulted in three factors:
Factor I - I, Fr, S, A ; Factor I1 - SAX
Nc, Sy; Factor I11 - unclear.
The mean coefficients of congruence
were .91 for Factor I, .92 for Factor 11,
and .57 for Factor 111. While there was
some evidence that the first two factors
may be a function of item overlap (Silver-
stein & Fisher, 1968), it could not be

concluded ultimately whether the built-in
structure is due to item-overlap or the
construct interrelationship among the
subscale variables.
Tosi and Hoffman (1972) report
another factor analysis of the POI based
on an n of 132. Employing the principal
component factor analysis and rotating
factors orthogonally using the varimax
algorithm, three factors emerged. Sub-
scales included in Factor I were A, S, Fr;
Factor I1 were Nc, Tc, Sy, SA R and
Factor I11 were Ex, Sa, C. Approximately
72% of the total variance of the POI was
accounted for by these three factors.
The similarity between Silverstein and
Fisher's factors and Tosi and Hoffman's
factors is evident. Silverstein and Fisher
(1968) described Factor I in their re-
search as dealing with affective processes,
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how the individual feels with respect to
self-actualization, whereas, Tosi and I-Ioff-
man (1972) present Factor I as describing
the "extroverted . . . person who is not
hesitant to act on his feelings." Factor I1
for Silverstein and Fisher represent eon-
ceptual phenomena, how the individual
thinks in terms of self-actualization,
where Tosi and Hoffman label their Fac-
tor I1 Open-Mindedness. Tosi and Hoff-
man labeled Factor 111, existential Non-
conformity, descriptive of the freely act-
ing inner-directed individual.
It should be noted that Factor I in
both studies contains the Fr and S sub-
scales which were conceptualized by
Shostrom to relate to the general area of
"feeling," and subscale R which con-
ceptually relates to the general area of
"interpersonal sensitivity." Factor II in
both studies contains subscales Nc and Sy
both of which relate to "synergic aware-
ness." Factor analytic research supports
Shostrom's ideas in general but also indi-
cates that the POI subscales may not be
as discrete as implied by Shostrom.
This in turn leads to the question of
parsimony. D m (1969) reported a
study designed to determine an overall
measure of self-actualization based on the
POI. For this study, the POI was adminis-
tered to 208 subjects, then four methods
of scoring were utilized; (SAPS - aver-
age standard score of the 12 scales; S: I -
Measurement of Sew-Actualization
Tc - combined standard scores for I and
Tc scales; R: I - Tc - raw scores of l;. Tc
scales; R: I - raw score of I scale).
Intercorrelation for the four resultant
scores were between .87 and .98. The
average of the coefficients between any
given scale and the other three overall
scales was highest for the R:I - Tc, being
.97, and the lowest for the R:I scale and
the remaining 11 POI scales was .60.
Consequently, Darnrn concluded that the
best overall measure can be obtained by
using the raw scores of the I scale or the
combined raw scores of the I and Tc
scales.
Concurrent validity. McClain (1 970)
found that nine of the POI scales were
significantly correlated with staff evdu-
ations of school counselors based on
Maslow's criteria of self-actualization (sig-
nificant correlations were not observed
for Sr, Nc, and Sy). Shostrom (1964)
reported significant changes in inner-
directedness for pre- and post-test mean
scores of individuals in sensitivity training
and school psychologist training pro-
grams.
Further supportive validation comes
from numerous studies that contrast
"non-healthy" individuals with "normal"
or "self-actualized7' individuals through
use of the POI. Fox, Knapp, and Michael
(1968) report that all 12 scales of the POI
significantly differentiated the hospital-
ized psychotic group from both the nor-
mal and self-actualized groups of Sho-
strom. Differences between Shostrom's
non-actualized group and the hospitalized
group were in the expected direction (i.e.,
non-actualized group made higher scores
than the hospitalized group) except on
the Sr subscale, and seven of the twelve
subscales were significantly different (i.e.,
Tc, I, Ex, Fr, Nc, A, and C).
Fisher and Silverstein (19698) in a
study using psychopathic felons found
the mean scale scores for felons were
significantly lower than Shostrom's nor-
mal group for all scales except SA S, 0
(no difference), and Sr (higher than nor-
mals but not significant). In a later study,
Fisher and Silverstein (1969a) using a
more representative sample of felons
 DONALD J. TOSI and CATHY A. LINDAMOOD
found that all means for the felons were
lower than Shostrom's normal group and
that the differences were significant for
all scales except Sr.
Braun and Asta (1968) correlated the
POI with the Gorden Personal Inventory
(GPI). More significant correlations were
found with the GPI Original Thinking
scale than any other. This is consistent
with Maslow's emphasis of the creative-
ness of the self- actualizing individual and
with Damm's finding of a significant
positive relationship between the POI and
the Remote Associations Test (Braun &
Asta, 1969). Two POI scales significantly
correlated with the GPI Personal Rela-
tions; these were SA V and Nc. Four POI
scales correlated with the GPI Vigor scale
(Braun & Asta, 1969).
Two studies investigated the relation-
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ship of the POI to the Edwards Personal
Preference Schedule (EPPS). LeMay and
Damm (1969) observed differences with
respect to a sex factor. In the males
studied, correlations between I, Fr, S,I Sa,
and C were significantly and positively re-
lated to Autonomy. Correlations between
the POI variables of I, Ex, Fr, S, Sr, A,
and C were negatively and significantly
related to Abasement. For females., Tc., I..
Ex, and C were significantly and positive-
ly related to Change while I, Ex, S, and A
were negatively and significantly related
to Order. For both sexes correlations be-
tween A and Aggression were significant
and in a positive direction. These
observed sex differences were not gener-
ally reported for the POI and may ihdi-
cate that self-actualization processes may
indeed vary somewhat between the sexes.
Grossack, Armstrong, and Lussiev
(1966) did not report sex differences in
their study. Using only Support Ratio
scores of the POI, positive significant
correlations were observed for Autonomy
and Heterosexuality and negative signifi-
cant correlations, for Abasement and
Order on the EPPS. Significant positive
correlations were also observed between
Support Ratio and the 16 PF subscales of
Bright, Intelligent and Experimenting,
and Critical.
Bsaun (1969) correlated the POI with
shortened forms of the Seashore Measure
219
of Musical Talents, the Watson-Glaser
Critical Thinking Appraisal, and the
Barron-Welsh Art Scale. The correlations
in general were not significant. When the
POI scales were correlated with the
MMPI, Shostrom and Knapp (1966) con-
cluded the following scales could be
considered complimentary:
1. D (Depression) on the MMPI and A on
t h e POI, contrasting intro-
punitiveness and acceptance of
aggression.
2. Pt (Psychasthenia) on the hMPI and S
on the POI, contrasting obsessive-
compulsive concerns and sponta-
neity.
3 . Si (Social Introversion) on the MMPI
and Fr, A, and C on the POI,
contrasting alienation and with-
drawal and freedom of expression
and close interpersonal contact.
The three highest POI profiles of the
advanced therapy group in the study had
relatively hi@ K (Defensiveness) scale
scores on the MMPI. It was, therefore,
suggested that the K scale may be useful
for validating the lack of authenticity of
excessively high POI profiles.
Predictive validity. Three studies refer
to POI correlations with various aspects
of counselor training, and with dormitory
assistants who are often involved in
counseling. Foulds (1969b, c) reporting
two separate studies on counselor inter-
personal functioning and communication
of facilitative conditions, found positive
relationships io self-actualization for both
studies. Graff, Bradshaw, Danish, Austin,
and Altekruse (1970) studying the effec-
tiveness of dlorrnitory assistants, found
the I, SAV, S, and A scales to signifi-
cantly predict rated effectiveness. That
the POI successfully correlates with the
criterion of success in various areas deal-
ing with values, beliefs, and emotions,
and interpersonal relationships (e.g., the
Peace Corps, Uhes & Shybut, 1971; dorm
assistants, Gr,aff & Bradshaw, 1970; and
counselor training, Foulds, 1969 a, b, c)
is some evidlence of predictive validity.
Moreover, these studies also give some

support to the construct validity of the
POI.
POI Use in Counselingand Psychotherapy
Cooper (1971) reported significant in-
creases for pre- and post-test mean gain
scores for individuals undergoing two
1-week T-group training sessions for the I,
Ex, Fr, S, and A scales of the POI. Young
and Jacobson (1970) reported on the
effects of a 15-hour marathon group
experience which emphasized verbal and
nonverbal communication processes.
They found significant pre- and post-test
mean differences for the experimental
group on the SAV scale of the POI and
higher (though not significant) mean gain
scores for all POI scales, except Sr,
indicating change in a positive direction
toward "health."
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Culbert, Clark, and Bobele (1968) on
reporting the results of sensitivity training
for two groups indicated that sensitivity
training sessions appeared to influence
significant mean gains (pre-post) on the
POI scales of I, S, Sy, and G for subjects
initially resembling normals. Mean POI
gain scores for a group which initially
appeared to be near the self-actualizing
level were not altered from the pre- to
post-test conditions.
Shostrom and Knapp (1966) reported
the relationships between the POI scales
and the MMPI for a beginning therapy
group and an advanced therapy group.
The POI and MMPI were administered to
both groups. All 12 POI scales signifi-
cantly differentiated the two groups,
while the Hs, D, Hy, Pd, Pa, Pt, and Sc
scales of the MMPI were significant, with
the advanced group scoring higher on the
POI and lower on the MMPI than the
beginning group. The investigators con-
cluded that these observations give cred-
ence to the POI as a measure of psy-
chological health and growth towards
self-actualization.
Iwai (1 973) reported significant gains
in C for mothers of poorly adjusted sons
who undertook a 10 week therapeutic
group experience. The POI also correlated
significantly with the Parental Attitude
Research Instrument. Tchack (1972) re-
ported significant increases in overall self-
Measurement of Self-Actualization
actualization following 50 hours (a six
week training period) of sensitivity train-
ing. Similar results were reported by
Slager (1972) and Foulds (1970) follow-
ing a T-group experience.
Luenberger (1 973) found significant
therapeutic movement as a result of
awareness of goals when using the I scale.
Mehr (1973) reported significant gains in
Nc, Ex, S, and A for heroine addicts
undergoing rehabilitation through metha-
done treatment and group counseling.
Anderson (1973) found the POI sig-
nificantly differentiated the attitudes,
values, and trends of two theologically
distinct groups. Anderson suggested that
the POI could facilitate group and indi-
vidual discussion concerning psychologi-
cal health and related psychological,
philosophical, and theologioal antecedent
conditions. This is consistent with
Stewart and Webster's (1970) findings
that the POI correlates positively with
theological liberalism and negatively with
theological conservatism.
Faking and Social Desirability
Fisher and Silverstein (1969 a, b) in
conducting two studies of faking on the
POI with felons found that felons can
fake poor adjustment, but attempting to
fake good adjvstment resulted in lower
scores on six scales than the control
group. Of more relevance to the actual
use of the POI are faking studies using
normal subjects. College students' at-
tempts to fake good (Foulds & Warehime,
1971), to fake ideal self (Braun & Asta,
1969), and to fake good impressions of
good adjustment (Braun & LaFaro, 1969)
resulted in lower scores on from four to
ten POI scales. However, subjects receiv-
ing specific inforrrlation on self-actuali-
zation, in geaeral, and the POI, in particu-
lar, can significantly raise their scores
(Braun & LaFaro, 1969).
Three additional points concerning
faking need be noted. First, Shostrom
(1966), in support of Maslow, found
self-actualization among college students
a rarity. College samples tend to score
more within the normal range of the POI.
Therefore, high POI scores for a college
student would be subject to some sus-
 DONALD J. TOSI and CATHY A. LINDAMOOD
picion. Second, Shostrom (1966) empha-
sizes cogently in the POI manual that
elevated scale scores beyond the typical
range (T score range of 50-60) of self-
actualized individuals, may indicate
pseudo-self-actualization resulting from
psychological sophistication. Therefore,
one might suspect that those individuals
who have received special information
about the POI or self-actualization theory
may present unusually high POI scale
scores. Third, Shostrom and Knapp
(1966) believe that the K scale of the
MMPI may be used as a check on high
POI profiles. Thus, at least three checks.
are available for unusually high POI pro-
files.
Although recent research (Berhardson,
197 1; McCarthy & Rafferty, 1971) calls
into question the traditional role of re-
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pression and social desirability in person-
ality measurement, such response tenden-
cies may confound both subje.ctive and
objective evaluations of client progress in
counseling and psychotherapeutic con-
texts. A study by Knapp (1965) reporting
relationships between the POI and the
Eysenck Personality Invefltory deserves
special consideration. The POI was nega-
tively and significantly correlated (for
eight scales) with neuroticism and posi-
tively correlated with extroversion (cor-
relations for seven scales were signifi-
cant). Knapp (1965) further analyzed
these data by drawing two subgroups of
subjects, high neurotic and low neurotic,
to approximate the upper and lower 27%
of total cases respectively (based on the
EPI neuroticism scale scores). All POI
scales, except for C, significantly differ-
entiated the two groups. Furthermore,
Knapp's description of the high neurotic
group clotsely coincides with Byrne's
(1964, pp. 169-220) description of re-
pressors. Therefore, it would appear that
individuals who have strong tendencies
toward repression (a typical neurotic
mechanism) would tend to be character-
ized by low scores on a majority of POI
scales.
A similar argument can be given for
the effect of social desirability responses
on POI scores. It has been recognized that
many subjects when attempting to fake
on personality inventories assume a
socially desira~bleresponse set. It will be
recalled that naive college students did
not fake successfully on the POI. Their
attempts to fake resulted in lower scores.
Furthermore, Byrne (1964) pp. 169-220)
observed that repr.essors also tend to
utilize socially desirable response sets.
Since Knapp's high neurotic group
characteristically resembled repressors, it
may be inferred that social desirability
response sets result in lower POI scale
scores. These inferences, however, need
to be posed in experimentally feasible
hypotheses and subsequently tested
further.
Discussion
In general the norms available for the
POI are adequate. There seems to exist a
need for additional outpatient norms,
facilitating further the use of the POI in
psychotheraply and counseling modalities.
The Time and Support Ratio scores in
general have doubtful utility. The inclu-
sion of ratio scores is suggested mainly as
a check against pseudo-self-actualization,
otherwise the standard scores are suffi-
cient and more useful for computations.
The absolute dichotomy in the paired
items does provide clarity. For many
individuals taking the POI, however, the
clarity of items resulting from paired
dichotomies may serve as a stimulus for
inappropriate responses to the POI -
response tendencies based upon hostility
and/or anxiety. Item overlap in the sub-
scales and the apparent lack of parsimony
are perhaps the POI'S most salient defi-
ciencies. Perhaps some revision of the POI
is in order, at least in terms of parsimony.
The number of subscales could be re-
duced to a few or from a practical
interpretive level, there could be an in-
crease in the use of the I scale alone. The
latter may constitute a functional revi-
sion. Support for the use of the I scale
alone has beein indicated earlier.
The test-retest reliability of the POI is
comparable to the majority of available
personality measures, ranging from .55 to
.85 for 1 week test-retest and .32 to .71
for 50 weeks test-retest. Additional re-
search on the internal consistency of the

POI scales appears to be warranted.
Numerous investigations show that the
POI does discriminate groups in those
conditions believed to be related to self-
actualization (i.e., psychotherapy and
counselor training) thus giving support
for the instrument's construct validity.
Concurrent validation studies support the
POI's measurement of psychological
health as opposed to psychopathology
and as coincidence with measures of
self-actualizing characteristics as deter-
mined by other personality measures.
Evidence for the POI's predictive validity
on criteria related to self-actualization
also supports its construct validity. While
factor analytic studies reveal a lack of
independence between the subscales of
the POI, such studies do provide addition-
al evidence for the construct validity of
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the instrument.
Deliberate faking on the POI by naive
subjects results in lower scores. On the
contrary, psychologically sophisticated
subjects when faking the POI may present
unusually high profdes. Normal subjects
are less likely than are neurotic subjects
to respond to the POI items with socially
desirable or repression sets. Moreover,
subjects who use high rates of social
desirability and repression responses tend
to score lower on POI subscales than
subjects who do not.
It is recommended at the present time
that the POI be used in counseling and
psychotherapeutic situations as a point of
departure for greater client self-awareness
and self-exploration. The PQI does appear
t o provide meaningful content for thera-
peutic discussion.
In light of this review of the POI, it is
recommended that the instrument be
used in ~aunseling and psychotherapy
(individual and group) primarily as a
stimulus for client self-awareness and
self-exploration. Before the POI is con-
sidered seriously as a diagnostic instru-
ment it is recommanded that the separate
constructs proposed to meamre the more
global phenomenon of self-actualization
be correlated with specific behaviors des-
cribed by Maslow that are characteristic
of self-actualized people. In terms of our
present understanding of the POI, it still
Measurement of Self-Actualization
should be regarded as a research instru-
ment.
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 224 Measurement of Self-Actualization
Reference Note Donald J. Tosi, PhD
1. Mazer, G . Final technical report on the *SSOC. Of Education
Institute for Preparation of CounseZors for The Ohio State University
Disadvantaged Youth. Unpublished paper,
West Michigan University, 1969. kz,","b"'ih$!h
A; $! !
Received: December 24,1973
Revised: March 8, 1974
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