All individuals, whether consciously or subconsciously, strive for a certain level of self actualization through instinct.
In order to
obtain self actualization the hierarchy of needs must be met. Maslow's
Hierarchy of Needs states that, “people are
motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over
others. Our most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the
first thing that motivates our behavior.”
It is among the most primitive of biological needs to have some level of control in a given environment or situation. Giving someone control of their environment can affect their positive well being and mentality. Having control allows for a more relaxed and peaceful individual by giving the individual a sense of security. By stimulating these emotion, the individual can maintain a lower heart rate, therefore, a positive state of mind. The more control the individual has; the closer to the apex the individual reaches. The sketch below is an example of me as an individual trying to balance and control all of the details words surrounding my body. Detailed words in the sketch represent basic needs, safety needs, and self-fulfillment needs.
There are 3 main types of personal control according to James Averill who is a Professor of social psychology at University of Massachusetts. All of these theories influence and are deeply connected with each other meaning an individual can possess all three types of personal control.
Behavioral Control is the ability to remove yourself from the environment or change the environment to better suit you. Many factors go into behavioral control such as personality types. A good example of this type of control would be when I go home after work or school. I immediately shut and lock my door when I come in as if to keep the rest of the dangers and stimulus from the outside world out. This theory is very perception driven because it not erasing what is going on outside my door, but rather giving me a sense control over the situation enabling some mental relief. This allows me to have a bit of territoriality, and tells me internally that I am in control of my surroundings.Without relief the human brain will become over stimulated, making it extremely uncomfortable, and in long term can create mental disorders.
Decisional control is the ability to make the decision on how to respond. When I am overstimulated or in a stressful situation, sometimes I can get so stressed out that my mind needs a moment to rest and step away from the stress. This fundamental need is not to be ignored because it is our instinct telling us we need the change. Decisional control in this situation would be making the decision of how to eliminate some of the stimulation or stress causing the issue. when decisional control and behavioral control come together, a solution is resolved by getting up and going for a walk or putting as pair of earphones in to drown out the sounds around you (and reducing the stimuli).
Cognitive control is the third control theory. It is about having the mental capacity to ignore the issues at hand and move forward with your original intentions intact. In the previous situation, I may have started to get overwhelmed by I took a moment and reminded myself why I was doing the task at hand. By doing so, I realized that finishing my goal was more important and approached the situation with a new internal perspective allowing me to finish my task.
Each of the Control Theories allow me to control my mental stasis and environment allowing me to move one step closer to my true goal of self actualization and perfect happiness.
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