RE: Traits of a Self Actualized Person,
Maslow’s well-regarded research notes the following:
They resist enculturation
'Self-actualizers' tend to be nonconformists, since they are inner-directed people. If a cultural norm is contrary to their personal values, they simply will not adhere to it.
They are more introverted than extroverted, and also exhibit strong leadership qualities.
They are never joiners!!!
They are creative:
Maslow
found this trait in all of the self-actualizers.
“This is a universal characteristic of all the people studied or observed. There is no exception. This creativeness appears in some of our subjects not in the usual forms of writing books, composing music, or producing artistic objects … It is as if this special type of creativeness being an expression of healthy personality is projected out upon the world, or touches whatever activity the person is engaged in. In this sense there can be creative shoemakers or carpenters or clerks. This creativity comes from the fact that self-actualizers are more open to experience and more spontaneous in their feelings.”
They are autonomous and, as a result thereof, tend to be independent of their environment:
“Because self-actualizers are B-motivated rather than D-motivated, they are more dependent on their own inner world than on the outer world. Deficiency motivated people must have other people available since most of their main need gratifications (love safety. respect, prestige, 'belongingness') can come only from other human beings. But growth motivated [B-motivated] people may actually be hampered by others. The determinants of satisfaction, and of the good life, are for them inner &individual, and not social. They have become strong enough to be independent of the good opinion of other people, or even of their affection. The honors, the status, the rewards, the popularity, the prestige and the love others can bestow must have become less important than self-development and inner growth.”
Although their notions of right and wrong are often
unconventional, self-actualizers, nonetheless almost always know the ethical
implications of their own actions.
They tend to accept democratic values:
Self-actualizers
do not respond to individuals on the basis of race, status or religion.
They can be [and are] friendly with anyone of suitable character regardless of
class, education, political belief, race or color. As a matter of
fact, it often seems as if they are not even aware of these differences,
which are 'for the average person' so obvious and important.
Our current president is clearly not
one of the benevolent people of whom I speak...
