Glossary / Lexicon

Actualization tendency refers to the basic human motivation to actualize, maintain, and enhance the self.

Actualization tendency is a concept in humanistic psychology that refers to the innate drive in humans to achieve their full potential and become the best version of themselves. It is the core concept of humanistic psychology and was developed by Abraham Maslow, who believed that every individual has a natural drive towards self-actualization.

The actualization tendency can be seen in a variety of behaviors and experiences, such as:

1. Pursuit of personal growth and development: People who are driven by the actualization tendency are constantly seeking new experiences and challenges that help them grow and develop as individuals. This can involve learning new skills, pursuing creative endeavors, or seeking out new opportunities for personal growth.

2. Fulfillment of basic needs: The actualization tendency includes the drive to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and safety, as well as higher-level needs such as love, belonging, and self-esteem. Individuals who are motivated by this tendency strive to fulfill these needs in order to achieve a sense of satisfaction and well-being.

3. Search for meaning and purpose: People who are driven by the actualization tendency often seek out experiences that help them find meaning and purpose in their lives. This can involve engaging in activities that align with their values and beliefs or pursuing goals that are personally meaningful to them.

4. Development of personal identity: The actualization tendency also includes the drive to develop a clear and coherent sense of self-identity. This can involve exploring one's own values, beliefs, and personality traits in order to better understand oneself and create a strong sense of self.

Similar concepts to the actualization tendency include self-actualization, which refers to the process of becoming the best version of oneself, and the hierarchy of needs, which is a model of human motivation that includes basic physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.

The actualization tendency is also related to concepts such as motivation, goal-setting, and achievement. Individuals who are motivated by the actualization tendency are often driven to set and achieve goals that align with their personal values and beliefs. They may also be more likely to persist in the face of challenges and setbacks in order to achieve their desired outcomes.

In addition, the actualization tendency can be related to concepts such as mindfulness and self-awareness. People who are driven by this tendency may be more likely to engage in practices such as meditation or introspection in order to better understand their own thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.

Overall, the actualization tendency is a fundamental concept in humanistic psychology that reflects the innate drive in humans to achieve their full potential and become the best version of themselves. This drive can be seen in a variety of behaviors and experiences, including the pursuit of personal growth and development, the fulfillment of basic needs, the search for meaning and purpose, and the development of personal identity. The actualization tendency is closely related to concepts such as self-actualization, the hierarchy of needs, motivation, goal-setting, achievement, mindfulness, and self-awareness.