In humanistic-existential therapy, what does self-actualisation refer…

In humanistic-existential therapy, what does self-actualisation refer to?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (1) → Achieving complexity and balance without being fragmented

Option	Reason
Option (1): Achieving complexity and balance without being fragmented. Correct.	Self-actualisation is an innate or inborn force that moves a person to become more complex, balanced and integrated. It means achieving complexity and balance without being fragmented.
Option (2): Overcoming psychological distress through free emotional expression. Incorrect.	Free emotional expression is a condition for growth. The therapy creates a permissive, non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere in which the client's emotions can be freely expressed.
Option (3): Perceiving obstacles to personal growth and removing them. Incorrect.	This is healing. Healing occurs when the client is able to perceive the obstacles in her or his life and remove them.
Option (4): Finding meaning even in life-threatening circumstances. Incorrect.	This is meaning making, Frankl's term in Logotherapy. It is the process of finding meaning in life, even in life-threatening circumstances.

NCERT (2026-27): “Humanistic-existential Therapy
The humanistic-existential therapies postulate that psychological distress arises from feelings of loneliness, alienation, and an inability to find meaning and genuine fulfilment in life. Human beings are motivated by the desire for personal growth and self-actualisation, and an innate need to grow emotionally. When these needs are curbed by society and family, human beings experience psychological distress. Self-actualisation is defined as an innate or inborn force that moves the person to become more complex, balanced, and integrated, i.e. achieving the complexity and balance without being fragmented. Integrated means a sense of whole, being a complete person, being in essence the same person in spite of the variety of experiences that one is subjected to. …”

In humanistic-existential therapy, what does self-actualisation refer to?

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 4

The correct answer is Option (1) → Achieving complexity and balance without being fragmented

Option	Reason
Option (1): Achieving complexity and balance without being fragmented. Correct.	Self-actualisation is an innate or inborn force that moves a person to become more complex, balanced and integrated. It means achieving complexity and balance without being fragmented.
Option (2): Overcoming psychological distress through free emotional expression. Incorrect.	Free emotional expression is a condition for growth. The therapy creates a permissive, non-judgmental and accepting atmosphere in which the client's emotions can be freely expressed.
Option (3): Perceiving obstacles to personal growth and removing them. Incorrect.	This is healing. Healing occurs when the client is able to perceive the obstacles in her or his life and remove them.
Option (4): Finding meaning even in life-threatening circumstances. Incorrect.	This is meaning making, Frankl's term in Logotherapy. It is the process of finding meaning in life, even in life-threatening circumstances.