Abraham Maslow popularized the concept of self-actualization as a process that an individual

undergoes through life. He believed that most mentally healthy individuals follow a path called
growth motivation that allowed them to self-actualize and realize their true potential as they
grew older and matured. Maslow’s theory of self-actualization is synonymous with seminal
psychological, philosophical, and religious theories that support the noble human transition
from self-indulgence to selflessness and altruism.

The Significance of Maslow’s Concept of Self-actualization

Maslow (1943) proposed his hierarchy of needs theory which enlisted basic human needs in the
form of a hierarchy. The hierarchy of need theory is arguably the most prominent motivational
theory in the field of psychology. The five needs that were originally enlisted were physiological,
safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization. Maslow further expanded self-
actualization into four needs, namely, cognitive, aesthetic, self-actualization and self-
transcendence. He called these latter needs “being needs” or B-needs and the former four
needs “deficient needs” or D-needs. He claimed that mentally healthy individuals follow a path
called growth motivation that allowed them to move up this hierarchy from D-needs to B-needs

Need-based Activity Chart for Self-actualization

Since Maslow’s theory of self-actualization correlates strongly with prominent theories of
morality, spirituality and utilitarianism, a need-based activity chart has been developed to guide
individuals to self-actualize through the lifecycle. Table 1 shows a need-based activity chart
describing the amount of conscious time an individual might devote to different needs in order
to self-actualize as they move through the lifecycle. The activities involved could vary
significantly between individuals depending on their geographical locations, professions, and
circumstances. The chart is intended to be a guide to demonstrate how a normal self-actualizing
individual’s behavior and actions could gradually change throughout the lifecycle, with
decreasing focus on D- needs and increasing focus on B-needs as the individual grows and
matures

Characteristics of Self Actualizing People

Realistic
Realistically oriented, SA persons have a more efficient perception of reality, they have comfortable
relations with it. This is extended to all areas of life. SA persons are unthreatened, unfrightened by the
unknown. they have a superior ability to reason, to see the truth. They are logical and efficient.

Acceptance
Accept themselves, others and the natural world the way they are. Sees human nature as is, have a lack of
crippling guilt or shame, enjoy themselves without regret or apology, they have no unnecessary inhibitions.
Spontaneity, Simplicity, Naturalness
Spontaneous in their inner life, thoughts and impulses, they are unhampered by convention. Their ethics is
autonomous, they are individuals, and are motivated to continual growth.
Problem Centering
Focus on problems outside themselves, other centered. They have a mission in life requiring much energy,
their mission is their reason for existence. They are serene, characterized by a lack of worry, and are
devoted to duty.

EIGHT WAYS TO SELF ACTUALIZE

1. Experience things fully, vividly, selflessly. Throw yourself into the experiencing of something:
concentrate on it fully, let it totally absorb you.
2. Life is an ongoing process of choosing between safety (out of fear and need for defense) and risk
(for the sake of progress and growth): Make the growth choice a dozen times a day.
3. Let the self emerge. Try to shut out the external clues as to what you should think, feel, say, and so
on, and let your experience enable you to say what you truly feel.
4. When in doubt, be honest. If you look into yourself and are honest, you will also take
responsibility. Taking responsibility is self-actualizing.
5. Listen to your own tastes. Be prepared to be unpopular.
6. Use your intelligence, work to do well the things you want to do, no matter how insignificant they
seem to be.
7. Make peak experiencing more likely: get rid of illusions and false notions. Learn what you are
good at and what your potentialities are not.
8. Find out who you are, what you are, what you like and don't like, what is good and what is bad for
you, where you are going, what your mission is. Opening yourself up to yourself in this way
means identifying defenses--and then finding the courage to give them up.

elf-actualization is the final stage of development in Abraham Maslow’s  hierarchy of needs.

This stage occurs when a person is able to take full advantage of their talents while still

being mindful of their limitations.

The term is also used colloquially to refer to an enlightened maturity characterized by the

achievement of goals, acceptance of oneself, and an ability to self-assess in a realistic and

positive way. Self-actualization can be explored in therapy .

WHAT IS SELF-ACTUALIZATION?
The process of self-actualization is different for everyone, and not all individuals achieve all

levels of the hierarchy throughout their lives. While Maslow believed achieving self-

actualization is somewhat rare and posited that only about 1% of the adult population has

self-actualized, current research shows this number may be higher. Further, self-

actualization has not been found to correlate with age, gender, income level, or race.

Self-actualization is thought to be best conceptualized as the sum of its parts rather than as

traits viewed in isolation. For example, a person who has a creative spirit, which is one trait

of self-actualization, may still not be fully self-actualized. Some experts say the theory of

self-actualization is more about how open a person is to growth and health rather than about

achieving ideals such as perfection, success, or happiness.

In addition, those that do self-actualize will not necessarily remain in that state. People may

travel between several levels of the hierarchy over their lifespan, based on life

circumstances, individual choices, and mental health.

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Although the concept of self-actualization was originally discussed by Gestalt  psychologist

Kurt Goldstein, it is most often associated with humanistic psychology , particularly the

humanistic psychologist Maslow, who used self-actualization as the pinnacle of

his hierarchy of needs . 

Maslow developed the concept of the hierarchy of needs to address both the basic and

esoteric needs of human existence. Its stages include physiological needs, safety needs,

the need for love and belonging, the need for esteem and, finally, self-actualization.

Once the most basic needs for an individual to remain alive have been met, desires that

concern safety and affection follow, then esteem needs. Once esteem needs such as self-

confidence and self-respect have been met, a person might begin to self-actualize. The

hierarchy also serves as a model of development in which babies start at the lowest level by

attempting to gain food, water, and shelter.

The needs associated with self-actualization include:

 Acceptance of facts

 Lack of prejudice

 Ability to solve problems

 Sense of morality

 Creativity

 Spontaneity  

When these needs are met, a person may be more open to the process of self-actualization.

SELF-ACTUALIZATION CHARACTERISTICS AND TRAITS

For Maslow, self-actualization describes the desire that leads to the realization of one's full

potential: A self-actualizer is a person who has reached the apex of human existence. In

other words, that person has become everything they’re capable of becoming. This

realization of potential can occur in many ways but generally includes the achievement of

sound psychological health and a strong sense of fulfillment.

In general, self-actualized people:

 Accept themselves and others

 Have a well-developed sense of creativity, sometimes referred to as a “creative spirit”

  Maintain deep and meaningful relationships

 Can exist autonomously

 Have a sense of humor, particularly an ability to find humor in their own mistakes

 Accurately perceive reality, both as it pertains to the self and others

 Have a sense of purpose  and perform regular tasks geared toward that purpose

 Experience frequent moments of profound happiness  (what Maslow called “peak

experiences”)

 Demonstrate empathy  and compassion  for others

 Have an ongoing appreciation of the goodness of life. Some might refer to this trait

as childlike wonder.

Because self-actualization involves a strong sense of purpose and self-awareness as well

as the imperative that one's basic needs are met, it can be a challenging goal to reach.

However, people who do self-actualize at some point in life may be able to retain access to

this level because they have learned the necessary skills to achieve fulfillment.

Not all people seek self-actualization as a goal, and different people or cultures may have

differing opinions about what constitutes a self-actualized state of being.

EXAMPLES OF SELF-ACTUALIZATION
Self-actualization may manifest in many forms, and some of how a self-actualized person

may appear can depend on their age, culture, and other factors. A few examples of behavior

a self-actualized person might exhibit include:

 Finding humor in a given situation

 Getting enjoyment and satisfaction out of the present moment

 Understanding what they need in order to gain a sense of fulfillment 

 Tendency to feel secure and unashamed in who they are

Becoming self-actualized is not always a straightforward process, and it can take years for

some people to reach self-actualization. To learn more about how therapy can help you

become more self-actualized, click here.