self-realisation

The US psychologist  Abraham Maslow coined the term ‘self-actualisation’ in the 1940s to describe what he saw as the highest of all human ‘needs’. The term covers creative self-expression, such as in the arts, with individuality (as in:  ‘I did it my way’) and living life to the full. Those from a culture less focussed on individualistic  striving may see belonging to a community, and taking collective action, as equally valid.  ( See also ‘positive psychology’, recovery’, ’empowerment’).