Theories Developmental Psychology 9 Characteristics of Self-Actualized People By Kendra Cherry Kendra Cherry Facebook Twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author and educational consultant focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial process Updated on July 17, 2019 Medically reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW Medically reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Amy Morin, LCSW, is the Editor-in-Chief of Verywell Mind. She's also a psychotherapist, the author of the bestselling book "13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do," and the host of The Verywell Mind Podcast. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print In psychology, self-actualization is achieved when you're able to reach your full potential. Being truly self-actualized is considered the exception rather than the rule since most people are working to meet more pressing needs. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Psychologist Abraham Maslow outlines what is known as a hierarchy of needs, representing all the various needs that motivate human behavior. The hierarchy is often displayed as a pyramid, with the lowest levels representing basic needs and more complex needs located at the top of the pyramid. At the peak of this hierarchy is self-actualization. The hierarchy suggests that when the other needs at the base of the pyramid have been met, you can then focus your attention on this pinnacle need of self-actualization. Self-Actualized People Have Peak Experiences Tim Robberts / Getty Images One characterization of self-actualization is having frequent peak experiences. According to Maslow, a peak experience involves: "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." In other words, peak experiences are moments of transcendence in which a person emerges feeling changed and transformed. They Possess Self-Acceptance and a Democratic World View Samantha Chesler Leiman / Getty Images Self-actualized people accept themselves and others as they are. They tend to lack inhibition and are able to enjoy themselves and their lives free of guilt. Not only do self-actualized people fully accept themselves, they also embrace other people for who they are. Other individuals are treated the same regardless of background, current status, or other socio-economic and cultural factors. How Does Self-Determination Theory Explain Motivation? They Are Realistic Hero Images / Getty Images Another major characteristic of self-actualized people is a sense of realism. Rather than being fearful of things that are different or unknown, the self-actualized individual is able to view life as it unfolds both logically and rationally. They Tend to Be Problem-Centered Hitomi Soeda / Getty Images Self-actualized individuals are often motivated by a strong sense of personal ethics and responsibility. They enjoy applying their problem-solving skills to real-world situations and they like helping other people improve their own lives. The Self-Actualized Person Is Autonomous Hero Images / Getty Images Self-actualized people also tend to be very independent. They don't conform to other people's ideas of happiness or contentment. This original perspective allows the individual to live in the moment and appreciate the beauty of each experience. How Self Efficacy Helps You Achieve Your Goals They Enjoy Solitude and Privacy crotography / Getty Images Self-actualized individuals value their privacy and enjoy solitude. While they also love the company of others, taking time to themselves is essential for their personal discovery and cultivating their individual potential. They Have a Philosophical Sense of Humor Simon Winnall / Getty Images Self-actualized individuals generally have a thoughtful sense of humor. They're able to enjoy the humor in situations and laugh at themselves, but they don't ridicule or joke at the expense of another person's feelings. Self-Actualized People Are Spontaneous Hero Images / Getty Images Another characteristic of self-actualized people is a tendency to be open, unconventional, and spontaneous. While these people are able to follow generally accepted social expectations, they don't feel confined by these norms in their thoughts or behaviors. They Fully Enjoy the Journey, Not Just the Destination Thomas Barwick / Getty Images While self-actualized people have concrete goals, they don't see things as simply a means to an end. The journey toward achieving a goal is just as important and enjoyable as actually accomplishing the goal. Why Learning More About Your Personality Type Can Benefit Your Life Press Play for Advice On Reaching Your Dreams Hosted by Editor-in-Chief and therapist Amy Morin, LCSW, this episode of The Verywell Mind Podcast, featuring best-selling author Dave Hollis, shares how to create your best life. Click below to listen now. Follow Now: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Ever wonder what your personality type means? Sign up to find out more in our Healthy Mind newsletter. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Carrano MA. Asleep in the Helix: Survival and the Science of Self-Realization. North Haven, CT: Avatar Paradigms; 2009:270. Talevich JR, Read SJ, Walsh DA, Iyer R, Chopra G. Toward a comprehensive taxonomy of human motives. PLoS One. 2017;12(2):e0172279. Published 2017 Feb 23. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172279 Söderhamn U, Dale B, Söderhamn O. The meaning of actualization of self-care resources among a group of older home-dwelling people--a hermeneutic study. Int J Qual Stud Health Well-being. 2013;8:1–9. Published 2013 Apr 19. doi:10.3402/qhw.v8i0.20592 Martela F, Pessi AB. Significant Work Is About Self-Realization and Broader Purpose: Defining the Key Dimensions of Meaningful Work. Front Psychol. 2018;9:363. Published 2018 Mar 26. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00363 Andringa TC, van den Bosch KA, Vlaskamp C. Learning autonomy in two or three steps: linking open-ended development, authority, and agency to motivation. Front Psychol. 2013;4:766. Published 2013 Oct 22. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00766 Trull TJ, Widiger TA. Dimensional models of personality: the five-factor model and the DSM-5. Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2013;15(2):135–146.MLATrull, Timothy J, and Thomas A Widiger. PMID: 24174888 Additional Reading Sullivan E. Self-Actualization. Encyclopaedia Brittanica. Published July 13, 2016.