Competition is something that has run in my blood since I can remember. I have gone against the grain of what a "normal" female gender role entails, I have been very competitive in all aspect of my life, starting when I was younger with a co-ed baseball team, which blossomed into playing for a girl's fast pitch league, and eventually becoming the first female (and youngest) umpire that the suburban Chicagoland area ever had. It wasn't enough for me just to be an umpire, though, as I felt that if I was going to do it, I was going to be the best; and I did exactly that. I took the time to get my nationally recognized certification, and I worked my way up the ranks. I also took part in other male dominated activities, such as cross country fox hunting on horseback. These are just two of the many examples of my outright competitive nature that is an obvious part of my everyday personality.
[...] For example, a parent might put their child's needs in front of their own, therefore putting their belonging and love need before their own physiological need. A second exception to the hierarchy is that a constant deficiency puts a tolerance on someone. For instance, if someone has made it thorough life in a third world country with little food, they may be able to bypass that physiological need and move up the hierarchy, without that completely being fulfilled. The third exception is a history of satisfaction, in which if you were previously satisfied, that might allow you to skate through the rough spots and have a tolerance of having a temporary deficiency. [...]
[...] These needs are divided into two sets. The first one is the desire for achievement and confidence, and being recognized as an individual independent of others. The second is receiving esteem from other people, which includes being recognized and appreciated. I feel that competitiveness directly relates to both of these, as if you are not competitive, you will not receive attention for anything. One must go out of their way and work to gain confidence and achievement. I did this through my athletics, my academics, and also through music. [...]
[...] The most basic need is that of the physiological needs of homeostasis of the body (Maslow, 1943). This homeostasis refers to the body being in an acceptable state, with correct balance of internal chemicals and content. This requires food to eat, clean water, the right amount of sleep, and other variables being fulfilled. It is impossible to list everything that contributes to homeostasis, though we must be careful not to identify all physiological needs as homeostatically important, such as tickling or touching. [...]
[...] I am unsure what I feel is innate besides the basic instincts that one needs to survive, such as hunger. I believe that his theories have many strong points, but I believe that it is of his disadvantage that he makes so much of personality inherent, as he does not take into consideration the environment or upbringing of a child. I feel that Maslow's theory is a much stronger way of explaining traits, as it is far more by the book, and there are more traits that it would account for. [...]
[...] Maslow did not speak directly about competitiveness, though I feel that it fits in nicely with his idea of the hierarchy of needs. During my childhood, my family worked hard to provide me with the necessary food, shelter, and health, which would have fulfilled my physiological needs. My safety and security needs were also filled by having a large house in a good neighbor hood, and two very large black guard dogs. I believe my competitiveness could have started in my quest to find love and belonging, which would be next on the hierarchy of needs. [...]
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