Students’ Self-Realisation as Their Need for Self-Actualization, Mechanical-Technical Abilities, and Adaptation to Educational Process

Abstract

This paper deals with different aspects of self-realisation – related to the health status, to the self-actualization, to some skills and abilities (especially mechanical and technical ones), to the self-determinism, and to the students’ adaptation and professional self-realisation. Three studies were conducted in 2011 and 2012 in Bulgaria. 73 students were studied about their need for self-actualization by means of a modified scale from Gercheva-Nestorova’s questionnaire for needs based on Maslow’s theory. More than a half of them strived for self-actualization in a medium and high degree. 55 students were studied by means of MTA – a computerized method for measuring mechanical and technical abilities that is a part of Vienna Test System. The low and medium results prevailed. 42 students were studied about their adaptation to the educational process. 1/3 of the students’ responses indicated their maladaptation in the educational process concerning their professional self-realisation (undesired subject, problems with the exams and with the lecturers, lack of desire for study). The satisfied students who studied a desired subject were better adapted. More than a half of the students in this sample strived for professional self-realisation through the specialty they studied in, independent on their initial professional orientation.

Language: Bulgarian