The identification of variables discriminating between groups differing in level of self-actualization through the use of multiple discriminant analysis

approved: Redacted for Privacy Dr. Arthur L. Tollefs7-The study was conducted to identify variables, from among the theory related and demographic/biographic variables included in the study, which were able to discriminate between groups of male and groups of female freshmen who differed in their level of self-actualization. Five hundred and forty freshmen (277 males and 263 females) were administered the Personal Orientation Inventory. Six groups (three male and three female) were drawn from the screened pools on the basis of raw scores on the I scale of the POI. The means for these groups fell at approximately the 12th, 50th and 92nd percentiles of the male and female distributions. The selected subjects were then administered the Tennessee Self Concept Scale, the Differential Value Profile, the Mehrabian Achievement Scales for Males/Females, and the Personal Data Questionnaire (constructed by the author). The variables included in the Personal Data Questionnaire had previously been examined in studies related to selfactualization and/or the theory related variables. Fifty subjects were selected from each of the groups (Total N = 300) for the purpose of analysis. Multiple discriminant analysis was used to determine the ability of the variables to discriminate between the groups of males and females. Null Hypothesis I, which stated that the males and females used in the study would not differ on their scores on the I scale of the POI, was rejected (p<.01). Null Hypothesis II stated that the groups of males would not be discriminated by the theory related variables used in the study. Null Hypothesis III predicted the same results for the female groups. Both null Hypotheses were rejected; null Hypothesis II at the . 005 level and null Hypothesis III at the . 05 level. Null Hypothesis IV stated that the groups of males would not be discriminated by the demographic/biographic variables used in the study. Null Hypothesis V predicted the same results for the female groups. Null Hypothesis IV was accepted (p>.05) while null Hypothesis V was rejected (p<.005). Null Hypothesis VI stated that combined theory related and demographic/biographic variables would not differ in their ability to discriminate between the groups of males. Null Hypothesis VII predicted the same relationship for the females. Both null Hypotheses were rejected (p <.001). The following were among the conclusions made: 1. The male and female freshmen differed significantly in their levels of self-actualization as measured by the I scale of the Personal Orientation Inventory. 2. Groups of male and female freshmen who differed in their level of self-actualization differed in their perceptions of themselves. 3. The male and female freshmen were discriminated by different combinations of theory related variables indicating the existence of a sex difference on the dimensions of personality related to self-actualization. The discriminating variables were: Moral-Ethical Self, Personal Self, Self-criticism and Social Self. These variables were all contained in the Tennessee Self Concept Scale. 4. Demographic-biographic variables were the most effective in discriminating between groups of male and female freshmen when selected theory related and demographic/biographic variables were combined. The discriminating variables were: Decided/undecided, Father's political orientation, Mother's political orientation, Part-time work status, Size of high school graduation class, Student's political orientation, and Student subculture. THE IDENTIFICATION OF VARIABLES DISCRIMINATING BETWEEN GROUPS DIFFERING IN LEVEL OF SELF-ACTUALIZATION THROUGH THE USE OF MULTIPLE DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS