Question

Discuss Allport’s concept of functional autonomy. Identify two instances in your life where functional autonomy was present.

Answer 1

Allports concept of functional autonomy proposes that the motives of mature ,emotionally healthy adults are independent of their original circumstances ,or they are not connected to prior experiences.

According to Allport motives can come and go. What motivated yesterday may no longer today. Children in time,may leave behind their childish desires and interest and develop new ones.

Two instances in my life where functional autonomy was present are-

1. As a child my motives kept on changing from time to time , sometimes it was getting good marks, being an excellent sports person, taking up painting as career ,it kept on changing,but ultimately as an adult motive changed and now it was not based on previous choices or desires ,but it was based on current circumstances and what could be best for my future,on the basis of which I decided to take medicine as my career and was motivated to become a doctor.

Now my motives are fulfilled but I still want to continue working in the same feild but with different motive of serving the needy ones, because now I find satisfaction in doing so and my motive is to keep serving maximum possible with a motive to earn name and fame.

2. Another instance was inspite of becoming a doctor and having motive to be one ,now my motive is also to build a healthy and happy family where in all stay together with happiness. So my motive is now not based on previous experiences or cicumstances but it is now that I felt so and made it my motive.