fei75766_ch09_271-308.indd 289  02/06/20 12:09 PM
Chapter 9    Maslow: Holistic-Dynamic Theory289
twocriteria, heguessed thatthepsychologically healthiest 1%oftheadult population 
oftheUnited States would beself-actualizing. 
Maslow (1950, 1970) listed 15tentative qualities thatcharacterize 
self-actualizing people toatleastsome degree.
More Efficient Perception of Reality
Self-actualizing people canmore easily detect phoniness inothers. They candiscrimi -
natebetween thegenuine andthefakenotonlyinpeople butalsoinliterature, art,
andmusic. They arenotfooled byfacades andcanseebothpositive andnegative 
underlying traits inothers thatarenotreadily apparent tomost people. They perceive 
ultimate values more clearly thanother people doandarelessprejudiced andless
likely toseetheworld astheywishittobe.
Also, self-actualizing people arelessafraid andmore comfortable withthe
unknown. They notonlyhaveagreater tolerance ofambiguity, buttheyactively seek
itandfeelcomfortable withproblems andpuzzles thathavenodefinite rightorwrong 
solution. They welcome doubt, uncertainty, indefiniteness, anduncharted paths, a
quality thatmakes self-actualizing people particularly wellsuited tobephilosophers, 
explorers, orscientists.
Acceptance of Self, Others, and Nature
Self-actualizing people canaccept themselves thewaytheyare.They lackdefensive -
ness, phoniness, andself-defeating guilt; havegood hearty animal appetites forfood, 
sleep, andsex;arenotoverly critical oftheirownshortcomings; andarenotburdened 
byundue anxiety orshame. Insimilar fashion, theyaccept others andhavenocom-
pulsive need toinstruct, inform, orconvert. They cantolerate weaknesses inothers Wholeness
Aliveness
Uniqueness
Perfection
CompletionJusticeSimplicityTotalityEﬀortlessnessHumor
BeautyGoodnessTruthAutonomy
B-values
FIGURE 9.2  Maslow’s B-values:  A Single Jewel with Many Facets.Final PDF to printer