Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
06:53
Creating Virtual-hand and Virtual-face Illusions to Investigate Self-representation
Published on: March 1, 2017
The body type/temperament mismatch and self-actualization
1Department of Psychology, McNeese State University, Lake Charles, LA 70609-1895.
Psychological Reports
|December 1, 1993
Summary
People with a mismatch between their body type and temperament show higher self-actualization. This finding supports a link between creativity and deviance, with a correction to a previous statement.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Personality Studies
Background:
- The relationship between physical characteristics and psychological traits is a complex area of study.
- Previous research by Catell and Metzner (1993) suggested a link between body type/temperament mismatch and self-actualization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the significance of body type/temperament mismatch in relation to self-actualization.
- To explore the potential connection between creativity, deviance, and self-actualization.
- To correct an identified error in the original Catell and Metzner (1993) findings.
Main Methods:
- This study revisits and analyzes the findings presented by Catell and Metzner (1993).
- A critical review and re-evaluation of the original data and conclusions were performed.
- Specific statements within the original research were identified for correction.
Main Results:
- Confirmation of higher self-actualization levels in individuals experiencing a body type/temperament mismatch.
- The findings lend support to the hypothesis that creativity is associated with deviance.
- An error in the original publication by Catell and Metzner (1993) has been identified and rectified.
Conclusions:
- Body type/temperament mismatch is a significant factor associated with enhanced self-actualization.
- The study reinforces the nuanced relationship between creativity, psychological deviance, and personal growth.
- Accurate reporting of research findings is crucial for advancing the field.
Related Concept Videos
02:45Self-Discrepancy Theory
One influential perspective on what motivates people's behavior is detailed in Tory Higgin's self-discrepancy theory (Higgins, 1987). He proposed that people hold disagreeing internal representations of themselves that lead to different emotional states.
02:12Relationship Formation
What do you think is the single most influential factor in determining with whom you become friends and whom you form romantic relationships? You might be surprised to learn that the answer is simple: the people with whom you have the most contact. This most important factor is proximity. You are more likely to be friends with people you have regular contact with. For example, there are decades of research that shows that you are more likely to become friends with people who live in your dorm,...
01:23Carl Rogers' Humanistic Perspective on Personality
Carl Rogers, a key figure in humanistic psychology, believed that individuals possess an innate potential for growth and fulfillment. According to his model of personality, three significant components define an individual: the organism, the self, and conditions of worth.
The organism refers to an individual's inherent blueprint, which Rogers saw as innately positive and directed toward helping others, unlike Freud's view of the id as driven by base impulses. The self is a person's...
The organism refers to an individual's inherent blueprint, which Rogers saw as innately positive and directed toward helping others, unlike Freud's view of the id as driven by base impulses. The self is a person's...
01:28Maslow's Humanistic Approach on Personality
Abraham Maslow, a prominent figure in humanistic psychology, developed a theory centered on self-actualization, which he placed at the top of his hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, self-actualization represents achieving one's full potential and is a rare accomplishment attained by approximately 2% of the population. Maslow identified notable historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Keller, and Martin Luther King Jr. as examples of self-actualized individuals.
01:29Personality Theory by Eysenck and Eysenck
Hans and Sybil Eysenck developed a widely recognized theory of personality, which emphasizes the role of temperament and genetically based differences in shaping individual traits. Their theory posits that biological factors primarily determine personality and can be understood through two main dimensions: extroversion/introversion and neuroticism/stability.
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
In the extroversion/introversion dimension, highly extroverted people are sociable, outgoing, and easily connect with others. In contrast,...
01:29Self-Discrepancy and Its Effects
Self-discrepancy theory explains how people compare their actual self to their ideal and ought selves and how mismatches between these self-guides can lead to emotional distress. Developed by E. Tory Higgins, the theory distinguishes among three components of self-concept: the actual self, the ideal self, and the ought self. These refer respectively to how individuals perceive themselves, how they aspire to be, and how they believe they are obligated to be. Emotional well-being, self-esteem,...