The development and validation of a self-report measure of self-actualization

A self-report measure of actualization of potential (MAP) was developed as an alternative to the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) for assessing successful and functioning individuals. Study 1 describes the item selection carried out by means of a literature review, an international panel of 28 experts and two focus groups. In Study 2 construct validity was established with a sample of 414 subjects. A principal components analysis with oblique rotation reduced the initial item pool to 27, yielding a 5-factor solution. A second-order factor analysis revealed two major components, "self-reference" and "openness to experience". Study 3 achieved a full scale Cronbach's alpha to .90. Overall the new instrument provides both better theoretical and empirical evidence than the POI, and stronger psychometric properties.