What does it mean to grow psychologically?

[sranganayaki]

By psychological growth, some people mean they want greater freedom to do what they want, pursue their interests and live as they want. Others want to understand themselves better, develop personal capacities, and experience new things. Some want to search within themselves for some deeper, truer self or psyche. But what exactly does it mean?
A psychological change in our attitudes and values is an important step in personal growth. Psychological growth refers to a qualitative change in the nature of the personality that can be brought about by conscious intention and effort. This psychological change also enhances our capacity for social accomplishment, but it does so by expanding the personality.

Psychological growth is achieved by
• Raising one’s level of self-awareness and understanding of other people
• Raising the level of one’s personal ideals and aspirations
• Acquiring more positive attitudes toward oneself, other people and life
• Acquiring higher psychological values that support and enrich human relationships
• Developing one's individuality
Examples abound and can best be illustrated by biography, literature and cinema. The characters played by Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich and Mona Lisa Smile, and Matt Damon as Randolph Junah in Legend of Bagger Vance, Paul Newman in The Verdict all grow psychologically as do Darcy and Elizabeth in Pride and Prejudice. Edmund Dantes in Count of Monte Cristo and Jean Valjean in Les Miserables undergo far more profound changes.
Psychological growth requires an effort to acquire greater self-knowledge and self-control, to master our natural impulses and direct our energies into something better and higher. When we compile a list of those human beings who have been most admired and respected, you can easily identify the characteristics associated with psychological growth – living for an ideal, courage of conviction, willingness to take risks, integrity, kindness, generosity and service toward others, etc.
Stages of personal growth - Human Science - a Wikia wiki