At a Glance
A fully functioning person is closely linked to the psychological idea of self-actualization.
A person who is fully functioning is able to reach their fullest potential in life.
It also explores some strategies that people can use to become fully functioning.
Uwe Krejci / The Image Bank / Getty Images
What Is a Fully Functioning Person?
Rogers suggested that people have an actualizing tendencyor a need to achieve their full potential.
This concept is often referred to asself-actualization.A fully functioning person is continually working toward becoming self-actualized.
What Is Self-Actualization?
If you are self-actualized, it means you have reached your full potential and fully appreciate life.
They can express feelings and are fully open to life’s many experiences.
Rogers suggested that a fully functioning person has embraced “existential living.
“In other words, they can live fully in the moment.
They experience a sense of inner freedom andembrace creativity, excitement, and challenge.
According to Rogers, people who are in this fully functioning state live in the present moment.
They are completely aware of their feelings and reactions but are not overwhelmed or ruled by their emotions.
Other researchers have characterized fully functioning people as flexible and ever-evolving.
Rogers said that being a fully functioning person means having a healthy personality.
People who fully function live in the moment and are open to new experiences.
The goal is for the client to grow emotionally and psychologically and eventually become a fully functioning person.
How to Become a Fully Functioning Person
Becoming fully functioning is a journey, not a destination.
It is not about following a prescribed series of steps to achieve a static result.
Remember that becoming more fully functioning is a journey that continues throughout your life.
The key is to keep working on embracing and living your life to the fullest.
It’s important to remember that becoming more fully functioning is a journey that continues throughout life.
The key is to keep working on embracing and living your life to the fullest.
Signs Youre a Fully Functioning Adult
How can you tell if you are a fully functioning adult?
Well, it depends on your unique life experiences and beliefs.
It’s normal to feel like youre not always your best self.
Being your best self is personal, subjective, and different for everyone.
Summary
The concept of being a fully functioning person is an ideal rather than a set destination.
It is not about achieving a certain status and then being done with your growth as a human.
Rogers CR.The concept of the fully functioning person.Psychol Psychother.
In: Combs AW, ed.
and Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.Perceiving, behaving, becoming: A new focus for education.
doi:10.1037/14325-003
Ismail NAH, Tekke M.Rediscovering Roger’s self theory and personality.J Educ Health Community Psychol.
2015;4(3):28-36.
In: Kazantzis N, LAbate L, eds.,Handbook of Homework Assignments in Psychotherapy.
Maslow, AH,A theory of human motivation.Psychological Review, 50(4), 370396.
- doi10.1037/h0054346
OpenStax.9.2: Lifespan Theories” in “Psychology 2e.
Difendorff JM, Seaton GA.Self-determination theory.
In: International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences.
Illinois Secretary of State.Lesson 3: Characteristics of adult learners.
University of Central Florida.Adulthood.
UC Berkely.Character traits for adults.
Freeth R.Humanising Psychiatry and Mental Health Care: The Challenge of the Person-Centred Approach.
Radcliffe Publishing Ltd.
Hockenbury DH, Hockenbury SE.Psychology,5th ed.
Jones-Smith, E.Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: An Integrative Approach.
