What Is Authenticity in Positive Psychology?
What Is an Example of an Authentic Person?
In theory, that four-part process sounds simple enough.
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But what does that actually look like in practice?
What is the self and how do you know your acting in sync with it?
In psychology, the self refers to a collection of ideas we each have about who we are.
For example, the nurse who is also a parent may often encounter situations where the two roles conflict.
Maybe theyre scheduled to work on the night of the school play.
Maybe their child gets sick the morning before theyre supposed to go to work.
An authentic person doesnt have a go at pick any one of these many dimensions as their truest self.
Instead, they constantly self-reflect and look for balance.
Why Is It Hard to Be Fully Authentic?
People with mental illnesses, for example, often dont feel safe or encouraged to be authentic.
There is still a great deal ofstigmasurrounding mental illness, saidDr.
Sam Zand, psychiatrist and founder of the Anywhere Clinic.
In other cases, that true self might be in conflict with societal norms.
As a result, Arganda-Stevens said, we learn that there’s no room for our authentic selves.
5 Ways to Develop Authenticity
If youre struggling to be more authentic, try incorporating these strategies.
Practice Mindfulness
The key to authenticity is developing the self-awareness to know who your truest self is.
Set a timer and then put away your phone.
Close your eyes and just notice your physical and emotional state right now.
Name the feelings and sensations but avoid trying to justify or explain or challenge them.
Your mind is going to wander during this process.
When it does, just notice that it did and bring it back to the exercise.
Also reflect on what specific actions or behaviors would feel more authentic.
For example, step one might be just acknowledging that truth.
Then, think of ways that it’s possible for you to act on those.
If you care about animals, volunteer at a local animal shelter on weekends.
Helminiak DA, Feingold BD, Donahue MJ.Clarifications about Lonergans authenticity for software in psychology.
New Ideas in Psychology.
Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes.
