People that have reached self-actualization are characterized by certain behaviors. Common traits amongst people that have reached self-actualization are as follows:
They embrace reality and facts rather than denying truth.
They are spontaneous.
They are interested in solving problems which may include personal problems or the emotional conflicts of others.
They are accepting of themselves and others and lack prejudice.
For Goldstein it was a motive and for Maslow it was a level of development; for both, however, roughly the same kinds of qualities were expressed: independence, autonomy, a tendency to form few but deep friendships, a “philosophical” sense of humor, a tendency to resist outside pressures and a general transcendence of the environment rather than a simple “coping” with it.
