The Jonah complex is the fear of success or the fear of being one's best. This fear prevents
self-actualization
Self-actualization, in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, is the highest level of psychological development, where personal potential is fully realized after basic bodily and ego needs have been fulfilled.
Self-actualization was coined by the organism ...
, or the realization of one's own potential.
It is the fear of one's own greatness, the evasion of one's destiny, or the avoidance of exercising one's talents.
As the fear of achieving a personal worst may serve to motivate personal growth, likewise the fear of achieving a personal best may hinder achievement.
The Jonah complex is evident in
neurotic people.
Etymology
Although
Abraham Maslow
Abraham Harold Maslow (; April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970) was an American psychologist who was best known for creating Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, cul ...
is credited for the term, the name "Jonah complex" was originally suggested by Maslow's friend, Professor
Frank E. Manuel
Frank Edward Manuel (12 September 1910 – 2003) was an American historian, Kenan Professor of History, emeritus, at New York University and Alfred and Viola Hart University Professor, emeritus, at Brandeis University. He was known for his work on ...
.
The name comes from the story of the Biblical prophet
Jonah's evasion of the destiny to prophesy the destruction of
Nineveh
Nineveh (; akk, ; Biblical Hebrew: '; ar, نَيْنَوَىٰ '; syr, ܢܝܼܢܘܹܐ, Nīnwē) was an ancient Assyrian city of Upper Mesopotamia, located in the modern-day city of Mosul in northern Iraq. It is located on the eastern ban ...
.
Maslow states, "So often we run away from the responsibilities dictated (or rather suggested) by nature, by fate, even sometimes by accident, just as Jonah tried—in vain—to run away from ''his'' fate".
Causes
Any dilemma, paradox or challenge faced by an individual may trigger reactions related to the "Jonah complex". These challenges may vary in degree and intensity. Such challenges may include career changes, beginning new stages in life, moving to new locations, interviews or auditions, and undertaking new interpersonal commitments such as marriage. The crux of the Jonah Complex distinguishes to the subject an inability to differentiate humility from self-helplessness. Other causes include:
* Fear of the sense of responsibility and work required that often attends recognizing one's own greatness, talents, potential
* Fear that an extraordinary life would be too much out of the ordinary, and hence not acceptable to others inciting xenophobic rejection
* Fear by association of the ability honed being heightened and elevated as subject to a traumatic unrelated event, complex or memory
* Fear of seeming arrogant, self-centered, etc.
* Difficulty envisioning oneself as a prominent or authoritative figure
See also
*
Impostor syndrome
Impostor syndrome, also known as impostor phenomenon or impostorism, is a psychological occurrence in which an individual doubts their skills, talents, or accomplishments and has a persistent internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud. Despi ...
*
Metamotivation Metamotivation is a term coined by Abraham Maslow to describe the motivation of people who are self-actualized and striving beyond the scope of their basic needs to reach their full potential. Maslow suggested that people are initially motivated b ...
*
Setting up to fail
Setting up to fail is a phrase denoting a no-win situation designed in such a way that the person in the situation cannot succeed at the task which they have been assigned. It is considered a form of workplace bullying.
There are also situation ...
*
Tall poppy syndrome
The tall poppy syndrome is a cultural phenomenon in which people hold back, criticise or sabotage those who have or are believed to have achieved notable success in one or more aspects of life, particularly intellectual or cultural wealth; "cut ...
References
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Complex (psychology)