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Part III    Humanistic/Existential Theories290
andarenotthreatened byothers’ strengths. They accept nature, including human 
nature, asitisanddonotexpect perfection either inthemselves orinothers. They 
realize thatpeople suffer, grow old,anddie.
Spontaneity, Simplicity, and Naturalness
Self-actualizing people arespontaneous, simple, andnatural. They areunconven -
tional butnotcompulsively so;theyarehighly ethical butmayappear unethical or
nonconforming. They usually behave conventionally, either because theissue isnot
ofgreat importance oroutofdeference toothers. Butwhen thesituation warrants it,
theycanbeunconventional anduncompromising evenattheprice ofostracism and
censure. Thesimilarity between self-actualizing people andchildren andanimals isin
theirspontaneous andnatural behavior. They ordinarily livesimple livesinthesense 
thattheyhavenoneed toerect acomplex veneer designed todeceive theworld. They 
areunpretentious andnotafraid orashamed toexpress joy,awe,elation, sorrow, 
anger, orother deeply feltemotions. 
Problem-Centering
Afourth characteristic ofself-actualizing people istheirinterest inproblems out-
sidethemselves. Non-self-actualizing people areself-centered andtendtoseeall
theworld’s problems inrelation tothemselves, whereas self-actualizing people are
task-oriented andconcerned withproblems outside themselves. Thisinterest allows 
self-actualizers todevelop amission inlife,apurpose forliving thatspreads beyond 
self-aggrandizement. Their occupation isnotmerely ameans toearnaliving buta
vocation, acalling, andanendinitself. 
Self-actualizing people extend theirframe ofreference farbeyond self.They are
concerned witheternal problems andadopt asolid philosophical andethical basis for
handling these problems. They areunconcerned withthetrivial andthepetty. Their 
realistic perception enables them toclearly distinguish between theimportant andthe
unimportant issues inlife.
The Need for Privacy
Self-actualizing people haveaquality ofdetachment thatallows them tobealone 
without being lonely. They feelrelaxed andcomfortable when theyareeither with
people oralone. Because theyhavealready satisfied theirloveandbelongingness 
needs, theyhavenodesperate need tobesurrounded byother people. They canfind
enjoyment insolitude andprivacy.
Self-actualizing people maybeseenasaloof oruninterested, butinfact,their
disinterest islimited tominor matters. They haveaglobal concern forthewelfare of
others without becoming entangled inminute andinsignificant problems. Because 
theyspend littleenergy attempting toimpress others ortrying togainloveandaccep -
tance, theyhavemore ability tomake responsible choices. They areself-movers, 
resisting society’s attempts tomake them adhere toconvention. 
Autonomy
Self-actualizing people areautonomous anddepend onthemselves forgrowth even
though atsome timeintheirpasttheyhadtohavereceived loveandsecurity from Final PDF to printer