13 traits of self-actualized people according to A. Maslow

Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist belonging to the humanistic perspective, the "third force" as far as psychological currents are concerned, after the psychoanalysis and the behaviorism.

The focus of the Humanistic Psychology focuses on the most positive aspects of the human experience and its development. Humanists hold the individual responsible for the results of his lifeThey are confident that, with the right conditions, it will develop in a desirable direction, since all humans possess the potential for optimal growth.

Humanistic psychologists believed that people are inherently good and turn to environmental causes to explain behaviors considered negative. However, according to Maslow, that all people have the power to be the engines of their own personal development does not mean that all do. Only some get to make the decision to self-actualize, with all the efforts and sacrifices that this implies. These will become self-actualizing people.

Self-actualized people

Maslow believed that people develop through various levels toward their full potential. Although all people can reach the highest levels of self-realization, in practice only a few reach the highest level of development. These are the so-called self-actualized persons, and

Maslow estimated that less than 1% of the population was.

What is self-realization?

Self-actualization, according to Maslow, consists of the full development of human potential. He defines it as “the continuous realization of potentials, capacities and talents, as the fulfillment of a mission, destiny or vocation, as a full knowledge and acceptance of the intrinsic nature of the person, as an incessant tendency towards unity, integration and synergy within person".

For them psychological disorders They would be nothing but denials of one's own internal potential and attacks against the very nature of the individual.

Characteristics of Self-Realized People

From a series of observations and studies, Maslow identified a number of common characteristics of self-actualized people.

These are not innate traits that some people have inherited through genes, but are simply ways in which the process of conquering self-realization is expressed. These characteristics are as follows:

1. Efficient perception of reality

Self-actualizing individuals perceive reality more clearly and objectively. Therefore, they are more unlikely to be misled, as they show ease in detecting manipulation strategies of others and are able to judge people in a useful and adaptive way.

2. Acceptance

Self-actualized people show a relatively high degree of self-acceptance, and this is reflected in their self-image and self-esteem. This characteristic of acceptance also extends to many other areas of life. Thus, self-actualizing individuals accept the good and the bad in life, having first identified what types of situations are irremediable and cannot be radically changed through acts of being human.

Self-actualized people are aware that there are certain uncontrollable situations in life, and that is why losses are better accommodated, they develop duels better, adapt to changes in their lives and are less afraid of death.

3. Spontaneity

By being in touch with your inner drives and your subjective experience, Self-actualized people behave simply and naturally, without hiding behind a social mask or a false “I”.

4. Focused on problems

Self-actualized people focus on problems outside of themselves, having a high level of social conscience, and do not hesitate to abandon their ego to help others. They are usually sensitized and committed to various social causes and do not tolerate injustices.

5. Need for privacy

They enjoy solitude. They do not need to continually enjoy external approval, and they think for themselves rather than letting others make decisions for them. Studies show that they can tolerate sensory deprivation more easily than others.

6. Autonomy

They are also independent, able to meet their own needs and take care of themselves without depending on others excessively. They make decisions without asking for the advice of others, relying on their good judgment and taking responsibility for them.

7. Freshness in appreciation

Self-actualized people display an almost childlike sense of wonder and wonder. Curious, they let life surprise them even in those contexts that others will perceive as banal and boring.

8. Summit experiences

Capable of having mystical experiences which Maslow defined as “states of unity where time tends to fade and the overwhelming feeling makes it seem like all needs are met heaped ”.

Some of the sources that unleash peak experiences in the individual are love, art or erotic ecstasy.

9. Human relationships

They identify with humans in general, and have a sense of relationship with the human race, without prejudice. In addition, they are able to create healthy love relationships, without attachment or dependence, only focusing on making the person they love grow.

10. Humility and respect

They are humble and can learn from many different people. They are democratic rather than authoritarian and do not insist on maintaining a status above the rest.

11. Ethics and values

They have strong ethical standards, although these are not conventional norms of good and evil, but their own ideas that have been formed based on their own criteria and observation of the world.

12. Sense of humor

They have a great sense of humor that is not hostile, they do not laugh at other people's expense. It's about a more philosophical, existential sense of humor.

13. Creativity

It is present in all self-realized subjects. They are capable of generating genuine ideas and original solutions to problems.

Self-actualization and basic needs

Maslow considered that every human being was capable of achieving his own self-realization having satisfied previously his basic needs, which he laid out in his famous hierarchy of needs (usually represented pyramid shaped).

Bibliographic references:

• Maslow, Abraham. (2005). Management according to Maslow: a humanistic vision for today's company (orig.: Maslow on Management). Barcelona: Editorial Paidós Ibérica.
• Städler, Thomas (1998). Lexikon der Psychologie, Stuttgart: Kröner.