Ask500

To each their own, I guess!

As for myself, I don't see anything silly about using a term like self-actualization. To me, it's just another construct (like self-esteem, happiness, creativity, etc.) that can be measured with relatively decent accuracy. "Highly motivated original thinker" sounds a lot like a wordy synonym if you think about it.

I'd agree with you that some of the self-help industry is a sham (look up "SHAM" while you're researching the literature on self-actualization). I've been to one free workshop myself and left quasi-disgusted with how ridiculous it was.

Thanks for the insight, Wingnutt. I'll probably repost in a month or so with a specific definition to see if there's any variance.

As it reads now, it directly targets those who seek to educate themselves when they come across a concept they don't know (common practice for self-actualized people). But your point is well taken--this question currently isn't a clean cross-sample of the world population.

I'd rather leave it up to the individual to interpret. That said, self-actualization does have a relatively standard definition.