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Part III    Humanistic/Existential Theories298
Inaddition totheempirical cleaning ofMaslow’s characteristics, Kaufman 
alsosetouttovalidate thenewmeasure byassessing howwellitcorrelated with
psychological traits itshould correlate with, suchasindependent measures ofcon-
structs ofwell-being, personality, curiosity, autonomy, andcreativity. Inshort, the
CSAS waswell-validated bythese other measures. Forexample, thetotalscore onthe
self-actualization correlated 0.55withSelf-Acceptance, 0.49withLife-Satisfaction, 
0.58withthepersonality meta traitof“Plasticity” (i.e.,exploration), 0.37with
Openness toExperience, 0.40withCreative Imagination, −0.49 withNeuroticism, 
and−0.49 withDepression. 
The Jonah Complex
According toMaslow (1970), everyone isbornwithawilltoward health, atendency 
togrow toward self-actualization, butfewpeople reach it.What prevents people 
from achieving thishighlevelofhealth? Growth toward normal, healthy personality 
canbeblocked ateachofthesteps inthehierarchy ofneeds. Ifpeople cannot pro-
videforfoodandshelter, theyremain atthelevelofphysiological andsafety needs. 
Others remain blocked atthelevelofloveandbelongingness needs, striving togive
andreceive loveandtodevelop feelings ofbelongingness. Stillothers satisfy their
loveneeds andgainself-esteem, butdonotadvance tothelevelofself-actualization 
because theyfailtoembrace theB-values (Maslow, 1970).
Another obstacle thatoften blocks people’s growth toward self-actualization 
istheJonah complex, orthefearofbeing one’s best(Maslow, 1979). TheJonah 
complex ischaracterized byattempts torunaway from one’s destiny justasthebibli-
calJonah triedtoescape from hisfate.TheJonah complex, which isfound innearly 
everyone, represents afearofsuccess, afearofbeing one’s best,andafeeling of
awesomeness inthepresence ofbeauty andperfection. Maslow’s ownlifestory dem-
onstrated hisJonah complex. Despite anIQof195,hewasonlyanaverage student, 
and,asaworld-famous psychologist, hefrequently experienced panic when called on
todeliver atalk.
Whydopeople runaway from greatness andself-fulfillment? Maslow (1971, 
1996) offered thefollowing rationale. First, thehuman body issimply notstrong 
enough toendure theecstasy offulfillment foranylength oftime, justaspeakexperi -
ences andsexual orgasms would beoverly taxing iftheylasted toolong. Therefore, the
intense emotion thataccompanies perfection andfulfillment carries withitashattering 
sensation suchas“This istoomuch” or“Ican’t stand itanymore.” 
Maslow (1971) listed asecond explanation forwhypeople evade greatness. 
Most people, hereasoned, haveprivate ambition tobegreat, towrite agreat novel, to
beamovie star,tobecome aworld-famous scientist, andsoon.However, when they
compare themselves withthose whohaveaccomplished greatness, theyareappalled 
bytheirownarrogance: “Who amItothink Icould doaswellasthisgreat person?” 
Asadefense against thisgrandiosity or“sinful pride,” theylower theiraspirations, 
feelstupid andhumble, andadopt theself-defeating approach ofrunning away from 
therealization oftheirfullpotentials.
Although theJonah complex stands outmost sharply inneurotic people, nearly 
everyone hassome timidity toward seeking perfection andgreatness. People allow Final PDF to printer