Self-actualization has been studied in depth in various psychology theories, often in slightly different ways. One of the definitions of Self Actualization is "The motivation to realize one's own maximum potential and possibilities. It is considered to be the master motive or the only real motive, all other motives being its various forms".
A more explicit definition of self-actualization according to Abraham Maslow is "intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately of what is the organism itself...self-actualization is growth-motivated rather than deficiency-motivated". Maslow considered self-actualizing people to possess "an unusual ability to detect the spurious, the fake, and the dishonest in personality, and in general to judge the people correctly and efficiently."
Common Traits amongst people who have reached self-actualization according to Maslow
Realistic
They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
Self Acceptance
They "can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings,"are similarly accept-ant of others, and generally lack prejudice.
They "can accept their own human nature in the stoic style, with all its shortcomings,"are similarly accept-ant of others, and generally lack prejudice.
Spontaneity, Simplicity, Naturalness
Spontaneous in his inner life. Thoughts and impulses are unhampered by convention. His ethics are autonomous, and Self-actualizing individuals are motivated to continual growth.
Spontaneous in his inner life. Thoughts and impulses are unhampered by convention. His ethics are autonomous, and Self-actualizing individuals are motivated to continual growth.
Focus of Problem Centering
They are "focused on problems outside themselves and are devoted to duty.
They are "focused on problems outside themselves and are devoted to duty.
Detachment: The Need for Privacy
Thy can be alone and not be lonely, are unflappable, and retains dignity amid confusion and personal misfortunes, all the while remaining objective.
Thy can be alone and not be lonely, are unflappable, and retains dignity amid confusion and personal misfortunes, all the while remaining objective.
Autonomy: Independent of Culture and Environment
The SA person has a fresh rather than stereotyped appreciation of people and the basic good in life.
The SA person has a fresh rather than stereotyped appreciation of people and the basic good in life.
Frequent Peak experiences
"Feelings of limitless horizons opening up to the vision, the feeling of being simultaneously more powerful and also more helpless than one ever was before, the feeling of ecstasy and wonder and awe, the loss of placement in time and space with, finally, the conviction that something extremely important and valuable had happened, so that the subject was to some extent transformed and strengthened even in his daily life by such experiences." -- Abraham Maslow
"Feelings of limitless horizons opening up to the vision, the feeling of being simultaneously more powerful and also more helpless than one ever was before, the feeling of ecstasy and wonder and awe, the loss of placement in time and space with, finally, the conviction that something extremely important and valuable had happened, so that the subject was to some extent transformed and strengthened even in his daily life by such experiences." -- Abraham Maslow
Creativity
ImperfectionsThey are painfully aware of their own imperfections and joyfully aware of their own growth process. They are impatient with themselves when stuck and feel real life pain as a result.
Values
The SA person is realistically human due to a philosophical acceptance of self, human nature, social life, physical reality, and nature.
The SA person is realistically human due to a philosophical acceptance of self, human nature, social life, physical reality, and nature.
We may wonder how this abstract concept of self actualization/ growth motivated living might relate to our day to day living. This below extract from a couple of articles I read on Caterpillar-Butterfly transformation analogy is how I am tempted to interpret the concept of self actualization and synonymous concepts such as self realization or self understanding.
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| What the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the rest of the world calls butterfly! |
When we replace old beliefs with new ones we grow--and eliminate the risk of being stunted. Since belief is cause it determines the circumstances we attract into our lives and so it is natural and normal and healthy that circumstances also be destroyed and created fresh: eg: a marriage ends, we become ill, we lose our job etc.
When we resist these little "deaths" we miss the opportunity they provide for personal transformation. However, when we understand that these "end of the world" moments are pivotal to our life purpose we can make the leap towards knowing and fulfilling that purpose.
A caterpillar event occurs and we have the choice to view it from the caterpillar's perspective or from the butterfly's perspective. From the butterfly's perspective a disaster is not a disaster at all but the necessary and wonderful adventure into a bigger life--the butterfly life. But in order for that adventure to take place we must develop such a deep level of trust and faith in the unknown that we leap into it willingly and enthusiastically and tell our confidence and courage to simply catch up with us later.
(Side-note from the TV serial LOST) I am again tempted to relate this to the interpretation of how the disaster(plane crash) motivated the survivors to be brave and find their purpose in order to survive by viewing the event from the butterfly perspective.
Changing, and challenging ourselves is what that keeps us alive and growing. It’s always an easier option to go with the status quo, but if we keep on doing that, our capacity contracts.
The great thing about life is that we can invent ourselves over and over. We can continually discover new skills and new areas of experience as we go through life. It’s sometimes a struggle, but it leads to a vibrant and fulfilled life. It is frightening to leave the safe ground where the caterpillar dwells and to enter a cocoon of unknowingness. But the reward, the sweet reward ...
... is to discover your capability for flight ;)!
