Features of Self-Actualization of Specialists with Various Professional Orientations

Abstract

Introduction. The article analyzes the problem of self-actualization and professional orientation of specialists in various fields. A theoretical study of the problem of self-actualization has shown that it is a specific form of cognitive creative activity, involving the identification, study and assessment of one’s capabilities and implementation in the profession. Materials and Methods. The article presents the results of an empirical study of self-actualization and professional orientation of specialists of various profiles using a set of methods: the questionnaire “Diagnostics of self-actualization of the personality of A. V. Lazukin” (adapted by N. F. Kalin); test to determine the professional orientation of the personality of J. Holland; methods of diagnostics of socio-psychological attitudes of a person in the motivational-need-sphere of O. F. Potemkina; methods of statistical data processing: Mann – Whitney U-test, correlation analysis. Research Results. Statistically significant differences were revealed between the indicators of self-actualization, motivation and professional orientation among specialists from different professional groups. The correlation relationships between the types of professional orientation and various scales of self-actualization and attitudes in the motivational-need-sphere of representatives of various professional groups have been revealed. It was found that the features of self-actualization, values, motives and needs of specialists are largely due to the specifics of their professional activities and the type of professional orientation. The desire for self-actualization, creativity, spontaneity, self-understanding, contact and flexibility in communication is most pronounced among specialists with a social and entrepreneurial type of orientation, whose activities provide opportunities for creative self-expression. Discussion and Conclusion. The results obtained confirm the assumption that the desire for self-actualization of specialists is largely due to their professional orientation and the specifics of their professional activities.