Religiousness and Self-Actualization - An Empirical Study

By : Ashok H. S., Jyothsna Kamath B

Page No: 347-355

Abstract
Religion has often been the means by which man has endeavoured to understand the nature, role and goal of one’s self. A similar inquiry is visible in current psychological thought, namely the humanistic paradigm, which is primarily concerned with self-actualization or the development of the self to its maximum potential. Yoga is one of the pathways towards realizing the fullness of the self. Conflicting research findings with regard to the role of religiousness in selfactualization necessitated the present study, which explores the level of selfactualization and religiousness of a group of 56 active Yoga practitioners or selfactualizers, compared with a control group of 40 non-practitioners. The relationship of self-actualization with religiousness among both groups is examined. Results and implications are discussed.

Authors :
Jyothsna Kamath B : Guest Faculty, Department of Psychology, Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi, Bangalore – 560056.
Ashok H. S. : Professor — Department of Psychology, Bangalore University, Jnanabharathi, Bangalore – 560056