Independence

Independence is the basic desire for self-reliance. It motivates people to make their own decisions and to value their personal freedom. Satisfaction of this desire produces the joy of personal freedom, whereas frustration produces feelings of dependency.

Independence motivates how much we want to stand out as individuals. It is especially strong during adolescence. Many teenagers who are strongly motivated by independence find ways to call attention to their individuality, such as wearing unusual clothes.   

People with a STRONG BASIC DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENCE are self-reliant. Their personal freedom may be everything to them; they may dislike being in need of others. It may be very important to them that things be done their way (“my way, or the highway”). They may not “go along, to get along.” They may feel uncomfortable being intimate. Personality traits that may describe them include autonomous, independent, self-reliant, and perhaps proud, stubborn, and uncomfortable with touchy-feely experiences.

People with a WEAK BASIC DESIRE FOR INDEPENDENCE trust others to meet their needs. They value psychological support, especially when making decisions. They may devalue displays of individuality. They may seek mystical experiences such as “unity of consciousness,” nirvana, “being in the zone,” “peak experience,” and “flow.” Personality traits that may describe them include humble, interdependent, and perhaps mystic or likes touchy-feely experiences.