Characteristics of the Self Actualized Person
Ashley Sailors
Reinhardt University
BBA 325
Abraham Maslow is the leading figure in the tradition of humanistic psychology. He describes the good life as one directed towards self-actualization, the pinnacle need. This occurs when you maximize your potential. Self-actualized individuals have many great characteristics. They perceive reality efficiently and can tolerate uncertainty; they accept themselves and others for who they are; they are spontaneous in thought and action; they are problem centered instead of self-centered; they are able to look at life objectively; have an unusual sense of humor; are highly creative; resistant to enculturation; concerned for the welfare of humanity; capable of deep appreciation of basic-life experience; establish deep satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few people; love peak experiences; have a need for privacy; have a democratic attitude; and have very strong moral and ethical standards. I completed the exercise and characterized myself. I was very happy with my score of 123. This indicates that I have a high level of self-actualization, and Maslow considered this quite rare! However, I feel that there is always something new to learn and always a way that I can improve myself.
Maslow contested that self-actualized individuals possess a number of characteristics that enable them to do all that they are capable of, and this helps them to find a meaning to life that is important to them. For some people this can be achieved through creating works of art, or literature, for others through sport, in the classroom, or in a corporate setting. For me this is becoming successful in my career and being able to help others any chance that I get. I am currently the Office Coordinator for a local cancer center, and I absolutely love it. Going to work doesn’t feel like work at all and this has helped me in many ways. I have learned to accept myself and others, I have a very accurate perception of reality, and I am goal-oriented. I feel that my current job has helped me to improve in all of these areas. I think one of my greatest strengths is being able to look at life objectively. I have been through so much in my life that could have bro...
