Self-Actualization - Revision history

Michael at 03:51, 7 April 2026

2026-04-07T03:51:04Z

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	"Self-actualization is 'intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately of what is the organism itself.<Ref>Maslow. “The Expressive Component of Behavior.” Psychological Review 56, no. 5 (September 1949): 264. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0053630. </ref>.		"Self-actualization is 'intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately of what is the organism itself.<Ref>Maslow. “The Expressive Component of Behavior.” Psychological Review 56, no. 5 (September 1949): 264. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0053630. </ref>.

	In Maslow's words, self-actualization is "...the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him [sic] to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming." <ref>Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. ''Psychological Review'', 50(4), 382. </ref>. As Maslow notes, the specific form of the needs varies from individual to individual. For some self-actualization entails working towards being the ideal mother, in others it is to be a perfection musician, and so on."<blockquote>...to talk of self-actualization implies that there is a self to be actualized. A human being is not a ''tabula rasa'', not a lump of clay or Plasticine. He is something which is already there. at least a "cartilaginous" structure of some kind. A human being is. at minimum, his temperament. his biochemical balances. and so on. There is a self. and what I have sometimes referred to as "listening to the impulse voices" means letting the self emerge.<ref>Maslow, A. H. ''The Farther Reaches of Human Nature''. New York: Viking, 1971. p. 44.</ref></blockquote>Daniels notes that there is a considerable amount of terminological inconsistency in Maslow's theorization. Maslow, he argues, "never achieved a final coherent theory of self-actualization.<ref>Daniels, M. “The Development of the Concept of Self-Actualization in the Writings of Abraham Maslow.” Current Psychological Perspectives 2 (1982): 61.</ref>		In Maslow's words, self-actualization is "...the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him [sic] to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming." <ref>Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. ''Psychological Review'', 50(4), 382. </ref>. As Maslow notes, the specific form of the needs varies from individual to individual. For some self-actualization entails working towards being the ideal mother, in others it is to be a perfection musician, and so on."<blockquote>...to talk of self-actualization implies that there is a self to be actualized. A human being is not a ''tabula rasa'', not a lump of clay or Plasticine. He is something which is already there. at least a "cartilaginous" structure of some kind. A human being is. at minimum, his temperament. his biochemical balances. and so on. There is a self. and what I have sometimes referred to as "listening to the impulse voices" means letting the self emerge.<ref>Maslow, A. H. ''The Farther Reaches of Human Nature''. New York: Viking, 1971. p. 44.</ref></blockquote>Maslow defines a self-actualizing person as one that is "sufficiently free of illness," "sufficiently gratified in [their] basic needs," that is "positively using his capacities," and that is "motivated by some values which [they] strive for or gropes for and to which [they] are loyal."<ref>Maslow, A. H. ''The Farther Reaches of Human Nature''. New York: Viking, 1971. p. 290-1</ref> <blockquote>In examining self-actualizing people directly. I find that in all cases, at least in our culture, they are dedicated people. devoted to some task "outside themselves," some vocation. or duty. or beloved job. Generally the devotion and dedication is so marked that one can fairly use the old words vocation, calling, or mission to describe their passionate, selfless, and profound feeling for their "work." We could even use the words destiny or fate. I have sometimes gone so far as to speak of oblation in the religious sense. in the sense of offering oneself or dedicating oneself upon some altar for some particular task. some cause outside oneself and bigger than oneself. something not merely selfish. something impersonal."<ref>Maslow, A. H. ''The Farther Reaches of Human Nature''. New York: Viking, 1971. p. 291<nowiki></ref></nowiki></ref></blockquote>In other words, an self-actualizing person has a developed sense of [[Purpose]], which is one of the five [[Aspects of Ego]]

			Daniels notes that there is a considerable amount of terminological inconsistency in Maslow's theorization. Maslow, he argues, "never achieved a final coherent theory of self-actualization.<ref>Daniels, M. “The Development of the Concept of Self-Actualization in the Writings of Abraham Maslow.” Current Psychological Perspectives 2 (1982): 61.</ref>

	====== Built Different ======		====== Built Different ======

Michael at 03:55, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T03:55:00Z

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	'''8. Finding Out Who You Are (Giving Up Defenses)''' Opening oneself up means identifying and courageously abandoning psychological defenses—even though defenses exist to protect against pain. Maslow specifically addresses '''desacralization''' (cynically reducing everything to concrete objects, losing poetic/sacred qualities) and argues for '''resacralization'''—learning to see the eternal, symbolic, and sacred in people and things again, even if it seems "corny" or "square."		'''8. Finding Out Who You Are (Giving Up Defenses)''' Opening oneself up means identifying and courageously abandoning psychological defenses—even though defenses exist to protect against pain. Maslow specifically addresses '''desacralization''' (cynically reducing everything to concrete objects, losing poetic/sacred qualities) and argues for '''resacralization'''—learning to see the eternal, symbolic, and sacred in people and things again, even if it seems "corny" or "square."

			9. '''Resacrilization''' describes the capacity to perceive people and things not merely as concrete objects but with a sense of awe, symbolic meaning, and "eternal" significance—seeing the sacred in the everyday. This unitive perception, though it may seem "corny" or unscientific to some, is essential for counselors helping individuals (particularly older adults) grapple with existential and spiritual questions on their path toward self-actualization.

	'''Two kinds of self-actualizing people'''		'''Two kinds of self-actualizing people'''

Michael at 03:29, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T03:29:19Z

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	=== Syncretic Terms ===		=== Syncretic Terms ===
	[[Alignment]] > {{#ask:[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment]]}}		[[Alignment]] > {{#ask:[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment]]}}

			==Related LP Terms==

			[[Self-Actualization]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related LP term::Self-Actualization]]}}

			==Non-LP Related Terms==

			[[Self-Actualization]] > {{#ask:[[Is a related term::Self-Actualization]]}}

	==Notes==		==Notes==

Michael at 03:28, 21 March 2026

2026-03-21T03:28:19Z

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	"Self-actualization is 'intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately of what is the organism itself.<Ref>Maslow. “The Expressive Component of Behavior.” Psychological Review 56, no. 5 (September 1949): 264. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0053630. </ref>.		"Self-actualization is 'intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately of what is the organism itself.<Ref>Maslow. “The Expressive Component of Behavior.” Psychological Review 56, no. 5 (September 1949): 264. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0053630. </ref>.

	In Maslow's words, self-actualization is "...the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him [sic] to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming." <ref>Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. ''Psychological Review'', 50(4), 382. </ref>. As Maslow notes, the specific form of the needs varies from individual to individual. For some self-actualization entails working towards being the ideal mother, in others it is to be a perfection musician, and so on."		In Maslow's words, self-actualization is "...the desire for self-fulfillment, namely, to the tendency for him [sic] to become actualized in what he is potentially. This tendency might be phrased as the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming." <ref>Maslow, A. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. ''Psychological Review'', 50(4), 382. </ref>. As Maslow notes, the specific form of the needs varies from individual to individual. For some self-actualization entails working towards being the ideal mother, in others it is to be a perfection musician, and so on."<blockquote>...to talk of self-actualization implies that there is a self to be actualized. A human being is not a ''tabula rasa'', not a lump of clay or Plasticine. He is something which is already there. at least a "cartilaginous" structure of some kind. A human being is. at minimum, his temperament. his biochemical balances. and so on. There is a self. and what I have sometimes referred to as "listening to the impulse voices" means letting the self emerge.<ref>Maslow, A. H. ''The Farther Reaches of Human Nature''. New York: Viking, 1971. p. 44.</ref></blockquote>Daniels notes that there is a considerable amount of terminological inconsistency in Maslow's theorization. Maslow, he argues, "never achieved a final coherent theory of self-actualization.<ref>Daniels, M. “The Development of the Concept of Self-Actualization in the Writings of Abraham Maslow.” Current Psychological Perspectives 2 (1982): 61.</ref>

	Daniels notes that there is a considerable amount of terminological inconsistency in Maslow's theorization. Maslow, he argues, "never achieved a final coherent theory of self-actualization.<ref>Daniels, M. “The Development of the Concept of Self-Actualization in the Writings of Abraham Maslow.” Current Psychological Perspectives 2 (1982): 61.</ref>

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	'''1. Experiencing Fully and Selflessly''' Self-actualization means experiencing life vividly, with total absorption and concentration—without the self-consciousness that plagues adolescents. It involves throwing oneself "whole-hog" into the moment, recovering the "guilelessness of childhood" and genuine sweetness that comes from being truly present.		'''1. Experiencing Fully and Selflessly''' Self-actualization means experiencing life vividly, with total absorption and concentration—without the self-consciousness that plagues adolescents. It involves throwing oneself "whole-hog" into the moment, recovering the "guilelessness of childhood" and genuine sweetness that comes from being truly present.

	'''2. Making Growth Choices Over Fear Choices''' Life is a series of choices between progression (growth) and regression (defense/safety). Self-actualization is an ''ongoing process'' of making the growth choice—toward honesty over lying, courage over fear—dozens of times daily.		'''2. Making Growth Choices Over Fear or Defense Choices''' Life is a series of choices between progression (growth) and regression (defense/safety). Self-actualization is an ''ongoing process'' of making the growth choice—toward honesty over lying, courage over fear—dozens of times daily.

	'''3. Listening to Your "Impulse Voices" (The Real Self)''' There is an authentic self to be actualized—temperament, biochemical nature—not a blank slate. Most people listen to internalized voices (parents, authority, tradition) rather than their own. Maslow suggests practical exercises (like tasting wine without looking at the label) to learn to consult one's "Supreme Court inside."		'''3. Listening to Your "Impulse Voices" (The Real Self)''' There is an authentic self to be actualized—temperament, biochemical nature—not a blank slate. Most people listen to internalized voices (parents, authority, tradition) rather than their own. Maslow suggests practical exercises (like tasting wine without looking at the label) to learn to consult one's "Supreme Court inside."
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	'''6. Actualizing Potential in Any Amount''' Self-actualization is not just an end state but a continuous process of developing one's capacities—whether through "finger exercises at a piano keyboard" or demanding preparation. It means working to do well what one wants to do, striving to be "first-rate" or as good as one can be.		'''6. Actualizing Potential in Any Amount''' Self-actualization is not just an end state but a continuous process of developing one's capacities—whether through "finger exercises at a piano keyboard" or demanding preparation. It means working to do well what one wants to do, striving to be "first-rate" or as good as one can be.

	'''7. Peak Experiences''' These are transient moments of self-actualization—ecstasy that "cannot be bought, cannot be guaranteed, cannot even be sought." One must be "surprised by joy." While peak experiences can't be forced, counselors can help people ''recognize'' them when they occur and set up conditions to make them more likely.		'''7. [[Peak Experience\|Peak Experiences]]''' These are transient moments of self-actualization—ecstasy that "cannot be bought, cannot be guaranteed, cannot even be sought." One must be "surprised by joy." While peak experiences can't be forced, counselors can help people ''recognize'' them when they occur and set up conditions to make them more likely.

	'''8. Finding Out Who You Are (Giving Up Defenses)''' Opening oneself up means identifying and courageously abandoning psychological defenses—even though defenses exist to protect against pain. Maslow specifically addresses '''desacralization''' (cynically reducing everything to concrete objects, losing poetic/sacred qualities) and argues for '''resacralization'''—learning to see the eternal, symbolic, and sacred in people and things again, even if it seems "corny" or "square."		'''8. Finding Out Who You Are (Giving Up Defenses)''' Opening oneself up means identifying and courageously abandoning psychological defenses—even though defenses exist to protect against pain. Maslow specifically addresses '''desacralization''' (cynically reducing everything to concrete objects, losing poetic/sacred qualities) and argues for '''resacralization'''—learning to see the eternal, symbolic, and sacred in people and things again, even if it seems "corny" or "square."

Michael at 03:33, 14 March 2026

2026-03-14T03:33:37Z

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 Humour:<blockquote>the self-actualizing persons whom I studied were not at all grim or humorless. Nor was their humor cathartic or hostile. On the whole, it em-bodied what I have termed ''philosophical humor'', ''educational humor'', ''existential humor'', and ''self-actualizing humor''....
-Where does such humor arise in the human psyche? Not merely from our sensations of pleasure or happiness or even from the Being-realm in general. We would be obliged to conceptualize bigger, fancier, and flossier words. We would have to talk of ecstasy, rapture, or bliss rather than mere pleasure.<ref>Maslow, Abraham H. “Laughter and Tears: Psychology’s Missing Values.” In ''Future Visions: The Unpublished Papers of Abraham Maslow'', edited by Edward Hoffman. Sage Publications, 1996. p. 100.</ref></blockquote>'''Two kinds of self-actualizing people'''
+Where does such humor arise in the human psyche? Not merely from our sensations of pleasure or happiness or even from the Being-realm in general. We would be obliged to conceptualize bigger, fancier, and flossier words. We would have to talk of ecstasy, rapture, or bliss rather than mere pleasure.<ref>Maslow, Abraham H. “Laughter and Tears: Psychology’s Missing Values.” In ''Future Visions: The Unpublished Papers of Abraham Maslow'', edited by Edward Hoffman. Sage Publications, 1996. p. 100.</ref></blockquote>
 "I have recently found it more and more useful to differentiate between two kinds (or better, degrees) of self-actualizing (SA) people, those who were clearly healthy, but with little or no experiences of transcendence, and those in whom transcendent experiencing was important and even central. As examples of the former kind of health, I may cite Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt, and probably, Truman and Eisenhower. As examples of the latter, I can use Aldous Huxley, and probably Schweitzer, Buber, and Einstein."<ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Theory Z.” ''Journal of Transpersonal Psychology'' 1, no. 2 (1969): 31–47. p. 31.</ref>

Michael at 03:30, 12 March 2026

2026-03-12T03:30:36Z

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	"For these and other reasons they may be called autonomous, i.e., ruled by the laws of their own character rather than by the rules of society. It is in this sense that they are not only or merely Americans, but also to a greater degree than others, members-at-large of the human species."<ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 29.</ref>		"For these and other reasons they may be called autonomous, i.e., ruled by the laws of their own character rather than by the rules of society. It is in this sense that they are not only or merely Americans, but also to a greater degree than others, members-at-large of the human species."<ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 29.</ref>

			== Quotes ==
			<blockquote>Self-actualizing people are. without one single exception, involved in a cause outside their own skin, in some thing outside of themselves. They are devoted. working at some thing. something which is very precious to them-some calling or vocation in the old sense, the priestly sense. They are working at something which fate has called them to somehow and which they work at and which they love, so that the work-joy dichotomy in them disappears. One devotes his life to the law. another to justice. another to beauty or truth. All, in one way or another. devote their lives to the search for what I have called (89) the "being" values ("B" for short), the ultimate values which are intrinsic. which cannot be' reduced to anything more ultimate.<ref>Maslow, A. H. ''The Farther Reaches of Human Nature''. Viking, 1971. p. 42.</ref></blockquote>

	=== Abraham Maslow Terms ===		=== Abraham Maslow Terms ===

Michael at 18:33, 16 February 2026

2026-02-16T18:33:53Z

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	Do not "fit in" with toxic culture. "They got along with the culture in various ways, but of all of them it could be said that in a certain pro- found and meaningful sense they resisted acculturation and maintained a certain inner detachment from the culture in which they were immersed."<ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 26.</ref>		Do not "fit in" with toxic culture. "They got along with the culture in various ways, but of all of them it could be said that in a certain pro- found and meaningful sense they resisted acculturation and maintained a certain inner detachment from the culture in which they were immersed."<ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 26.</ref>

	passionate about changing and improving the world. Could be revolutionary and resistance if required, but did not resist and struggle for empty ~~reasons~~. "not against fighting but only against ineffective fighting." <ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 28.</ref>		passionate about changing and improving the world. Could be revolutionary and resistance if required, but did not resist and struggle for empty reaso
			ns. "not against fighting but only against ineffective fighting." <ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 28.</ref>

	" All these people fell well within the limits of apparent conventionality in choice of clothes, of language, of food, of ways of doing things in our culture. And yet they were not really conventional, certainly not "fashionable" or "smart" or "chic." Do not act overtly unconventional, unless necessary to preserve inner sanctity. Otherwise, they go along to avoid hurting others, to maintain peace, to show respect.But able to throw off convention when going along was too annoying or expensive. <ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 26.</ref>		" All these people fell well within the limits of apparent conventionality in choice of clothes, of language, of food, of ways of doing things in our culture. And yet they were not really conventional, certainly not "fashionable" or "smart" or "chic." Do not act overtly unconventional, unless necessary to preserve inner sanctity. Otherwise, they go along to avoid hurting others, to maintain peace, to show respect.But able to throw off convention when going along was too annoying or expensive. <ref>Maslow, Abraham. “Resistance to Acculturation.” Journal of Social Issues 7, no. 4 (November 1951): 26–29. p. 26.</ref>
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	[[Is a syncretic term::Active Need Fulfillment\| ]]		[[Is a syncretic term::Active Need Fulfillment\| ]]
	[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]		[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]
	[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]		[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow\| ]]

Michael at 00:48, 29 January 2026

2026-01-29T00:48:54Z

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	[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]		[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]
	[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]		[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]
	~~[[Is a related term::Abraham Maslow\| ]]~~

Michael at 16:10, 23 January 2026

2026-01-23T16:10:03Z

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	[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]		[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]
	[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]		[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]
			[[Is a related term::Abraham Maslow\| ]]

Michael at 17:44, 10 January 2026

2026-01-10T17:44:30Z

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	{{navmenu}}		{{navmenu}}
	<h1 class="customtitle">{{FULLPAGENAME}}</h1>		<h1 class="customtitle">{{FULLPAGENAME}}</h1>
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	== Concept Map ==		== Concept Map ==
	===Key Terms===		===Key Terms===

			<div class="eupsychia">
			[[Eupsychia]] > {{#ask:[[Is a key term::Eupsychia]]\|format=ul}}

			[[Eupsychian Theory]] > {{#ask:[[Is a key term::Eupsychian Theory]]\|format=ul}}

			[[Human Development]] > {{#ask:[[Is a key term::Human Development]]\|format=ul}}

	[[Self-Actualization]] > {{#ask:[[Is a key term::self-actualization]]}}		[[Self-Actualization]] > {{#ask:[[Is a key term::self-actualization]]}}
			</div>

	=== Syncretic Terms ===		=== Syncretic Terms ===
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	[[category:terms]]		[[category:terms]]
			[[Is a key term::Human Development\| ]]
	[[Is a syncretic term::Active Need Fulfillment\| ]]		[[Is a syncretic term::Active Need Fulfillment\| ]]
	[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]		[[Is a syncretic term::Alignment\| ]]
	[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]		[[Is a term::Abraham Maslow]]