fei75766_ch12_377-407.indd 384  02/06/20 12:56 PM
Part IV    Dispositional Theories384
ofconsciously acting ontheirenvironment innewandinnovative ways andcaus-
ingtheirenvironment toreact tothem. Proactive behavior isnotmerely directed at
reducing tensions butalsoatestablishing newones.
Inaddition, mature personalities aremore likely thandisturbed onestobemoti-
vated byconscious processes, which allow them tobemore flexible andautonomous 
thanunhealthy people, whoremain dominated byunconscious motives thatspring 
from childhood experiences. 
Healthy people ordinarily haveexperienced arelatively trauma-free childhood, 
eventhough theirlateryears maybetempered byconflict andsuffering. Psychologi -
callyhealthy individuals arenotwithout thefoibles andidiosyncrasies thatmake 
them unique. Also, ageisnotarequisite formaturity, although healthy persons seem 
tobecome more mature astheygetolder.
What, then, arethemore specific requirements forpsychological health? All-
port(1961) identified sixcriteria forthemature personality. 
Thefirstisanextension of the sense of self. Mature people continually seekto
identify withandparticipate inevents outside themselves. They arenotself-centered 
butareabletobecome involved inproblems andactivities thatarenotcentered on
themselves. They develop anunselfish interest inwork, play, andrecreation. Social 
interest (Gemeinschaftsgefüh l),family, andspiritual lifeareimportant tothem. Even -
tually, these outside activities become partofone’s being. Allport (1961) summed 
upthisfirstcriterion bysaying: “Everyone hasself-love, butonlyself-extension isthe
earmark ofmaturity” (p.285).
Second, mature personalities arecharacterized bya“warm relating of self to oth -
ers”(Allport, 1961, p.285). They havethecapacity toloveothers inanintimate and
compassionate manner. Warm relating, ofcourse, isdependent onpeople’s ability to
extend theirsense ofself.Only bylooking beyond themselves canmature people love
others nonpossessively andunselfishly. Psychologically healthy individuals treatother 
people withrespect, andtheyrealize thattheneeds, desires, andhopes ofothers are
notcompletely foreign totheirown. Inaddition, theyhaveahealthy sexual attitude 
anddonotexploit others forpersonal gratification.
Athird criterion isemotional security orself-acceptance. Mature individuals accept 
themselves forwhat theyare,andtheypossess what Allport (1961) called emotional 
poise. These psychologically healthy people arenotoverly upset when things donotgo
asplanned orwhen theyaresimply “having abadday.” They donotdwell onminor 
irritations, andtheyrecognize thatfrustrations andinconveniences areapartofliving.
Fourth, psychologically healthy people alsopossess arealistic perception of
theirenvironment. They donotliveinafantasy world orbend reality tofittheirown
wishes. They areproblem oriented rather thanself-centered, andtheyareintouch 
withtheworld asmost others seeit.
Afifthcriterion isinsight and humor. Mature people know themselves and,
therefore, havenoneed toattribute theirownmistakes andweaknesses toothers. 
They alsohaveanonhostile sense ofhumor, which gives them thecapacity tolaugh 
atthemselves rather thanrelying onsexual oraggressive themes toelicit laughter 
from others. Allport (1961) believed thatinsight andhumor areclosely related and
maybeaspects ofthesame thing, namely self-objectification. Healthy individuals see
themselves objectively. They areabletoperceive theincongruities andabsurdities in
lifeandhavenoneed topretend ortoputonairs.Final PDF to printer