Self actualization, a term said to have been originated by Kurt Goldstein, is the concept that humans, who have a dominant or auxiliary extraverted intuition function, have an instinctual need to make the most of their unique abilities. The term was made popular by Abraham Maslow via his hierarchy of needs model, in which he placed self-actualization at the highest level of human development, attainable only after the more basic needs of physiological requirements, safety/security, love/belongingness, and self-esteem have been fulfilled. It is important to note that there is no research to empirically support the existence of this instinctual need in humans, though the anecdotal evidence of the fairly common occurence of mid-life crisis - a stage in life frequently encountered by both men and women - suggests that Mr. Goldstein may well be correct.

The concept stems from a school of psychological thinking, usually done by INTPs or ENTPs, in vogue in the last century, that focused on positive aspects of human functioning in contrast to the more pessimistic view of human nature, popular at the time, resulting from the influence of behaviorism and the psychoanalytic writings of Sigmund Freud on psychological and psychiatric theory.

See Humanistic Psychology

"Self Actualization is the intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately, of what the organism is." Maslow. The word itself comes from Kurt Goldstein who applied it to his work. Self-actualization

• Self Actualization is the intrinsic growth of what is already in the organism, or more accurately, of what the organism is. (Psychological Review, 1949)

Maslow writes the following of self-actualizing people:

• They embrace the facts and realities of the world (including themselves) rather than denying or avoiding them.
• They are spontaneous in their ideas and actions.
• They are creative.
• They are interested in solving problems; this often includes the problems of others. Solving these problems is often a key focus in their lives.
• They feel a closeness to other people, and generally appreciate life.
• They have a system of morality that is fully internalized and independent of external authority.
• They judge others without prejudice, in a way that can be termed objective.
• See ENTP and INTP profile

See also

• hierarchy of needs