Define the term “self-actualization” according to Maslow.

Self-actualization, as defined by Maslow, refers to the realization of one’s potential and the pursuit of personal growth and self-improvement. It represents the highest level in Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which outlines a series of motivational stages that individuals progress through. At the self-actualization level, individuals are motivated to achieve their fullest potential and engage in personal development that does not solely focus on external validation or societal measures of success.

In this context, self-actualization encompasses a range of experiences including creativity, personal fulfillment, and the desire to become everything one is capable of becoming. This aligns with Maslow's belief that once basic and psychological needs are met, individuals strive for deeper fulfillment and growth, leading to a life that is meaningful and aligned with their values.

The other options reflect different aspects of life that may be significant to individuals but do not capture the essence of self-actualization as described by Maslow. High income, social recognition, and authority may contribute to an individual's sense of status or security but are not intrinsic to the self-actualization process, which is fundamentally about personal development and the actualization of one’s unique potential.