Will to Survive: A Closer Look at its Role in Human Psychology
The power of will is a concept that has been of interest to psychologists since the early 1900s. While the concept of will has been understood to represent a person’s inner strength to confront and overcome adversity, the role of the will to survive in human psychology has been a matter of debate. In this article, we explore the concept of the will to survive and its importance in the context of human psychology.
The will to survive is defined as the psychological force that drives an individual to continue living and striving to achieve their goals despite the presence of substantial obstacles. This force is strongest when individuals are faced with life-threatening situations, such as physical danger or extreme deprivation. In such cases, the will to survive is driven by an instinctual desire to survive, as well as by the individual’s psychological capacity to remain resilient and determined despite the challenges they are faced with (Fox, 2020).
The will to survive has been studied extensively in the context of various theories of human psychology, such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Erikson’s Theory of Development, and Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory. These theories emphasize the importance of the will to survive in ensuring a person’s psychological well-being and in enabling them to reach their goals. For instance, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs suggests that the will to survive is essential for achieving self-actualization, which is the highest level of psychological development. Similarly, Erikson’s Theory of Development states that the will to survive is essential for navigating the various stages of life and reaching the final stage of psychological maturity. Similarly, Freud’s Psychoanalytic Theory suggests that the will to survive is essential for maintaining a healthy psychological balance (Fox, 2020).
In addition, the will to survive has been studied in the context of various research methodologies, such as qualitative and quantitative approaches. Qualitative approaches have been used to study the role of the will to survive in various contexts, such as the effects of extreme deprivation on an individual’s psychological well-being. On the other hand, quantitative approaches have been used to measure the psychological impact of the will to survive in various populations, such as in individuals facing life-threatening situations.
Finally, the will to survive has a significant impact on an individual’s psychological well-being. Studies have shown that individuals who are able to maintain a strong will to survive are more likely to be resilient and determined in the face of adversity, and to be more successful in reaching their goals. Furthermore, the will to survive can also help individuals cope with psychological distress and to remain psychologically balanced.
In conclusion, the will to survive is an essential concept in human psychology. It is driven by an instinctual desire to survive, as well as by an individual’s psychological capacity to remain resilient and determined. The will to survive has been studied in various contexts, and research has demonstrated its importance in enabling individuals to reach their goals and to remain psychologically balanced.
References
Fox, N. (2020). Will to survive: A closer look at its role in human psychology. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-power-will/202003/will-survive-closer-look-its-role-in-human-psychology