Picture Identification Test Abasement Need Description
Picture Identification Test Abasement Need Description
New - an
essay discussing basic problems of world cultures: "The
Combative Dominance Syndrome"In this section, there are explanations of how the abasement need functions in each of three major human motivation dimensions and in the human motivation system as a whole. Understanding how a need functions in a particular person is best obtained from the results and interpretation provided by the Picture Identification Test (PIT) but if PIT results are not available, some insight into the functioning of the need for people in general may be obtained from this discussion. References to the PIT Motivation System Target Model, the Combative Dimension, the Personal-Social Dimension, and the Competitive Dimension can further assist in understanding how this need functions in the human motivation system.
Two terms used throughout the need discussions are defined below:
Need Conflicts: Within a particular dimension some needs conflict with each other because they evoke incompatible behavior if they are expressed synchronically (simultaneously). For example, the aggression and nurturance needs evoke incompatible behavior in all three dimensions. Needs that conflict in a particular dimension are located in opposite areas of that dimension (see Target Model) indicating that they are not normally activated synchronically in that dimension.
Mal Adaptive Need Fusion: Needs that normally produce conflicting behavior when synchronically evoked in a particular dimension are sometimes combined or fused despite resulting conflicts. Mal adaptive fusion creates frustrations and problems. For example, in the combative dimension, when the aggression and succorance needs are synchronically activated, the fused behavioral expression may take the form of whining and complaining that does not effectively express either the aggression need or the succorance need.
The Abasement Need
(The need to admit faults and shortcomings)
Abasement always has to do with acknowledging one's bad or undesirable acts and qualities. Abasement is expressed verbally when we tell others we have made a mistake or have a weakness or shortcoming. It is expressed when we admit guilt to an accusation, charge, or criticism. In some religions, confession provides an opportunity to express abasement. We sometimes express abasement in body language by lowering our head or our gaze or by acting in a humble manner. Although a humble attitude often accompanies our admissions of faults and weaknesses, humility is not a necessary accompaniment of the abasement need. We can admit our faults and weaknesses in a matter-of-fact, objective, non-apologetic way. Below are descriptions of four different ways we can present ourselves to others:
Self-abasement: Self-abasement is a harmful, destructive way of attacking our self so that it causes us to feel worthless and debased.
Abasement: Abasement is the honest admission of specific faults or errors without indicating that these faults make us worthless as a person.
Pride: Pride is an expression of honorable satisfaction regarding our real accomplishments and worth.
Arrogance: arrogance expresses a feeling of total superiority with disdain and scorn for all others who are "less worthy."
The Function of the Abasement Need
In the combative dimension, the abasement need enables us to avoid trying to defend ourselves when we are wrong or have made a mistake (e.g., we admit guilt rather than commit perjury in a court trial). An admission of fault tends to disarm critics and allows us to correct our mistakes. In the competitive dimension, the abasement need enables us to avoid trying to do things when we do not have the skill, knowledge, and ability to succeed and the risks of failure are extreme and severe ("I don't believe I'm ready to try to fly this plane solo after only two lesson"). When we admit a lack of ability or a mistake it makes it easier for us to correct our faults and to learn. Thus, the abasement need helps us confront our shortcomings and avoid unwise risks.
In the personal dimension (where we express our personal-social needs) the abasement need helps us relax and be open with our friends and loved ones. Good social relationships require honesty and truthfulness to develop and maintain trust and love. From friendship to marriage we are better off when our personal relationships are open and honest. By motivating us to be truthful rather than deceptive, the abasement need strengthens and improves the quality of our social relationships.
When we are honest about our shortcomings we do not have to keep "separate books" to account for what is real and what we are trying to conceal. Thus, honesty reduces the tension that is inherent in deception (a lot of energy and precaution is used by a spy to prevent discovery).
Problems Related to the Abasement Need
Self-abasers create problems for themselves. Some people are glad to join in attacks on the chronic self-abaser. Others lose confidence in the self-abaser or distance themselves to get away from their depressing negativism. Sometimes people feel sorry for the self-abaser but their pity can turn to impatience if the self-abaser does not seem to be doing anything to either correct or accept their problems. Self-abasement is sometimes used as a strategy to avoid blame ("If I beat on myself, others will be less apt to beat on me") but this strategy is apt to create a bad backlash when the others sense they are being manipulated.
Problems with self-abasement lead to unrealistic feelings of guilt and worthlessness that generate other negative feelings of depression, self-pity, masochism (self-punishment) and, in extreme cases, self-destructive thoughts and feelings.
Arrogance is caused by a lack of abasement combined with unrealistic feelings of superiority. Lying, bragging, and boasting are related to arrogance and indicate a lack of honest abasement. People may sometimes fear or even respect arrogant people but they seldom like them. The lack of abasement that produces arrogance is thus very destructive to personal relationships.
Consistent failure to admit faults may also be associated with rigid defensiveness and a tendency to "put on a front." Putting on a front is based on a belief that appearance is more important than substance.
Some people automatically feel guilty when others blame or criticize them whether they are at fault or not. They are easily "brain-washed" into accepting guilt, even when they know at a rational level that they are innocent. Because they are unrealistic about their own worth, their unrealistic self abasement puts them at an obvious disadvantage in combative situations and they are easily victimized by bullies.
The ability to appropriately express abasement and pride and avoid self-abasement and arrogance helps us maintain a stable, positive, and realistic view of ourselves and the world.
Dimension Locations of the Abasement Need (see Picture Identification Test Target Model)
In the target model, abasement is located toward the bottom (noncombative end) of the combative dimension, the top (personal end) of the personal dimension, and in the bottom (noncompetitive end) of the competitive dimension. These locations mean that abasement opposes and conflicts with combativeness or ego assertion, it promotes and facilitates close, intimate relationships, and it opposes and conflicts with competitive striving.
Abasement Mislocated in the Combative Area of the Combative Dimension
It is unusual for a person to locate the abasement need in the combative area of the combative dimension. Such mislocation brings abasement into close association with the ego needs (dominance, autonomy, sex, aggression, defendance, and rejection). Close association between abasement and the ego needs in the combative dimension creates conflicts or maladaptive fusions. One such conflict takes the form of "I don't know whether to admit I'm wrong or whether to deny faults and blame and attack others for the problem." Bragging or boasting may indicate a "reaction formation" to abasement-ego conflicts.
A maladaptive fusion between abasement and the ego needs can take the form of "I must be very forceful and harsh with myself to correct my mistakes and shortcomings." This is not a good way to treat either others or our self. Another maladaptive fusion may be formed when abasement is used as a weapon to manipulate others ("Go ahead and have it your way because I am a miserable worthless person who does'nt deserve any consideration"). Yet another maladaptive fusion takes the form of trying to conceal our combativeness and hostility by acting in a humble and self-deprecating manner.
Abasement Too Low in the Noncombative Area
Abasement is normally located in the noncombative area of the combative dimension. Sometimes it is moved to an even more distant position relative to the other needs in the area. Such an extreme location may mean that the abasement need exerts excessively strong opposition to combative assertion. This location may reflect a belief that awareness of any fault or defect makes it impossible to assert one's will effectively since faults of any kind make a person totally unworthy ("I have no right to assert my will or criticize others unless I'm perfect and I'm not perfect").
Abasement Too Extreme in the Personal Dimension
In the target model, the abasement need is located approximately midway in the upper (personal) area of the personal dimension. This location adds a quality of openness and honesty to personal relationships - we do not have to "put up a front" for the benefit of others when we feel secure enough to "be ourselves." However, if the abasement need is moved further toward the extreme of the personal dimension, it tends to dominate our personal and social interactions and may reflect a belief that the most important aspect of personal relationships is the opportunity to talk about our problems and difficulties. Such a belief can turn personal-social occasions into amateur therapy sessions. When this happens, the abasement need tends to overshadow our play and affiliation needs (the positive motives for personal-social interactions) and the "needy" side of our personality becomes over emphasized.
Abasement Located Too Low in the Impersonal Area
When the abasement need is moved from its normal location in the mid-upper region of the personal area to the opposite impersonal area of the personal dimension, it changes from a facilitator to an opposition force to personal relationships. Such a location may reflect a belief that "I can't relate to people personally if they know about my faults ." It may also reflect a belief that any admission of faults will have bad effects on personal relationships. Such beliefs can cause a loss of the important elements of honesty and openness in personal relationships.
Abasement Located Too High in the Competitive Dimension
When the abasement need is moved from its normal location in the noncompetitive area to the competitive area it creates conflicts or maladaptive fusions with competitive needs. One such conflict occurs between desires to compete and doubts about one's ability. This conflict is normal in many situations but it is important that the person resolve the conflict by choosing to compete or choosing to withdraw from the competition. When abasement is mislocated in the competitive area it makes it difficult to resolve this type of conflict. A maladaptive fusion of the abasement and competitive needs may result from a belief that it is always bad and undesirable to exhibit one's abilities or knowledge - therefore one must always conceal one's abilities by acting humble and talking only about one's weaknesses and failings.
Abasement Located Too Low in the Noncompetitive Area
In its target location in the mid noncompetitive area, the abasement need
opposes competitive striving. This inhibitive relationship provides us with
a choice between making a commitment to a competitive goal or choosing not
to attempt a task for which we are ill prepared. In this location there is
some room for risk taking when the issue is uncertain. However, if the abasement
need is moved further toward the noncompetitive boundary it may reflect a
belief that we should not accept any competitive challenge if we have even
a slight doubt about our ability. In this extreme location, the abasement
need takes on too much inhibiting power in situations and makes us too cautious
to test our skill, knowledge, and ability.
The
Picture Identification Test (PIT) is a psychological
instrument based on the Murray need system. The PIT uses multidimensional scaling
to provide an analysis of needs (motives). It indicates needs that are being
met or expressed ineffectively. The PIT can be administered to subjects ages
twelve and older.
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For further information about
the Picture Identification Test contact
Jay L. Chambers, PhD: ibis@kalexres.kendal.org
160 Kendal Drive Apartment #205
Lexington, Virginia 24450
Phone: 540.462.3874
The Motivation Analysis web site has three sections:
Motivation Analysis: General
Systems Point of View | Combative Dimension
| Personal Social Dimension |
Competitve Dimension | PIT
Scores | PIT Publications |
PIT Dissertations | Motivation
System Target Model | Target Model
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& Cluster Definitions | Links
Essays: Combative
Dominance Syndrome (new) | Political
Motivation | Mental Sets |
Symbolic Thinking, Values, Motivation & Religion |
Needs, Values, Philosophy & Religion
Needs (Motives): Abasement
| Achievement |
Affiliation | Aggression | Autonomy
| Blame Avoidance | Counteraction
| Defendance | Deference
| Dominance | Exhibition
| Gratitude | Harm
Avoidance | Inferiority Avoidance
| Nurturance | Order
| Play | Rejection
| Sentience | Sex
| Succorance | Understanding
URL: http://www.overbooked.org/motivation/needs/abasement.html
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