In Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, the highest need is self-actualization. This American psychologist described it as the impulse to develop one’s potential and become everything one is capable of being, after satisfying the most basic needs. Self-actualized people are lifelong learners, so they always try to expand their horizons and create a better world around them.
However, reaching self-actualization is usually an exception and not the norm, since people are more likely to focus on meeting those needs that are most pressing. Now, what are the characteristics of self-actualized people according to Abraham Maslow? In this Psychology-Online article, we describe the most relevant ones in detail.
What is self-actualization according to Abraham Maslow
The American psychologist Abraham Maslow is one of the most representative figures within the humanistic and positive psychology movement. Maslow is the father of the pyramid of human needs, in which he states that all people have an innate force that leads them to self-realization, but that they must explore beyond their basic or lower-order needs.
Therefore, Maslow suggests that self-actualization arises when these needs have been met and the individual focuses on developing one’s own potential. In other words, it seeks the maximum performance of a person to become everything they can achieve, which is why it is considered a higher need.
During his research, Maslow identified several people as individuals who had achieved personal self-realization, such as Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein, Thomas Jefferson, among many others. Now that you know the meaning of self-actualization according to Abraham Maslow, let’s see what the characteristics of self-actualized people are.
They perceive reality objectively
The first characteristic that defines self-actualized people is that they see reality without biases, prejudices nor previous conditions. On the contrary, they have a very objective point of view about everything that happens around them, which allows them to focus on “the here and now.” In fact, by being free of stereotypes, reality is appreciated in its true details.
Live experiences to the fullest
Another characteristic of self-actualized people is that they are open to different visions and do not have a limited feeling about what they experience. They know that every moment is extremely valuable. Therefore, they do not miss opportunities to exploit their full potential. Their experiences are learning from which they emerge stronger.
They are accepted as they are
Individuals who achieve personal self-actualization they completely accept each of their qualities, abilities and defects. They have a high self-acceptance that is reflected in healthy self-esteem. Furthermore, they are able to easily accept and adapt to changes, as they recognize that they cannot control everything in life.
They are creative and have a sense of humor
Personal self-realization is an open door for creativity and innovation. On the one hand, those who have already covered the , display a very positive vital energy around them that transforms the environment. In fact, they can solve problems very simply and with original approaches.
On the other hand, the sense of humor that self-actualized people have allows them to relax in the face of eventualities and even see the world in a proactive way because they recognize that everything is a cause-effect relationship.
They are highly realistic
According to Abraham Maslow, self-actualized people are very realistic. Therefore, they do not stop in the face of the unknown and They usually face their fears assertively. Furthermore, they develop in life in a rational and logical way, while assimilating new experiences into their mental schemas to live a more full and conscious life.
They have ethics and a sense of responsibility
Self-actualized people are faithful to their beliefs and morals, therefore, they really enjoy applying them in all areas of their life. Their personal responsibility is very strong and they do whatever it takes to keep their word and the objectives they set.
Coupled with that, they propose real solutions to problems and have no qualms about help other people improve their own lives. Furthermore, their sense of empathy is very high and they are not afraid to show interest in other people.
They are autonomous and enjoy their privacy
Another characteristic of self-actualized people, according to Abraham Maslow, is that they love to be independent and Their happiness does not depend on anyone but themselves.. Likewise, they lack emotional attachments. In other words, they don’t need other people to feel satisfied. Therefore, they appreciate the beauty of life in every step they take.
Likewise, they like to have their privacy respected. In this way, they discover their inner capacities through reflection and continuous self-analysis. Of course, they have no problem sharing with other people, but from time to time they need to have their own personal space.
They are spontaneous
You may think that self-actualized people are rigid and follow a set pattern. However, the reality is that they are spontaneous, extroverted, creative individuals with a great philosophical sense of humor. Although they follow social norms, They don’t get carried away by stereotypes nor by the rigidity of thought. If you want to learn to let yourself go, in this article, we will tell you.
They enjoy the journey, not just the destination
Among the main characteristics of self-actualized people, it stands out that they are eternal learners in each of their experiences. Therefore, they enjoy the experiences they have every day, whether they are good or not very good. They recognize that life is today and that tomorrow we don’t know where we will go. This allows them to experience a very enriched and fruitful experiential journey.
They focus on personal growth
Undoubtedly, something that defines self-actualized people is that They are not stuck in covering only their basic needs. They advance further and further because they focus on their personal growth. In fact, Maslow describes them as extraordinary people who do not waste much of their lives satisfying only their primary needs.
They have their own opinion
Do you want to know what is another characteristic of self-actualized people according to Maslow? They are individuals who rarely depend on the cultural environment or what other people say because they have their own criteria. This means that They do not let themselves be carried away by pre-established patterns of society and who respond to situations according to their scale of values.
They like life to surprise them
Maslow defined this trait as “freshness in perception and appreciation.” This means that They do not despise the experiences that life offers them. On the contrary, each step is one more that leads them towards their personal development.
Furthermore, they identify directly with the human condition, which is why they are excellent people to establish any type of social interaction. This quality makes it easier for them to make their ideas and opinions known in a clear and respectful way.
They are humble in their learning
Although they stand out for their great wisdom, self-actualized people like to learn daily from others. They consider that each individual is their own source of knowledge and that they can add a lot to their lives. Besides, They are democratic and do not believe they are better than anyone nor that they have a better status than others.
Lastly, these people always find a purpose to move forward. In fact, they are organized according to their objectives and they complete them one by one in order of priority, which helps them prioritize the tasks in order of relevance. In addition, they also have a great feeling of gratitude that helps them see life as an immense frontier full of opportunities.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50 (4), 370–396.
- Maslow, A. (2004). Hierarchy of needs. Mexico: Quetzal. https://www.academia.edu/35733663/Jerarqu%C3%ADa_de_las_Necesidades?bulkDownload=thisPaper-topRelated-sameAuthor-citingThis-citedByThis-secondOrderCitations&from=cover_page
- Maslow, A. (2016). The self-realized man: towards a psychology of being. Editorial Kairós.https://books.google.co.ve/books?hl=es&lr=&id=8O2bDwAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PT2&dq=las+personas+autorealizados+segun+maslow&ots=ZIbxWsLeNK&sig=Jvk-6Qp77S4Jh6zseKuXVX0cQDg#v=onepage&q=las %20people%20self-actualized%20according to%20maslow&f=false