In this study, Shostrom's (1963, 1974) Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) was administered to a group of 74 disadvantaged students undertaking a university preparatory studies programme. Results showed that at the commencement of the course, the group profile was typical of what Shostrom would describe as a non-self-actualized group. At the end of the programme, which contained sections designed to improve feelings of competency and self-confidence, the profile had shifted towards normal with significant improvements in the areas of Self-acceptance and Spontaneity. The findings indicate that, despite criticisms of its psychometric properties, the POI does appear to be measuring dimensions which are related to self-actualization.
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