The quality of being genuine, real, and true to one's own personality, values, and beliefs rather than conforming to external expectations. It involves honest self-expression and alignment between inner experience and outer behavior.
From Greek 'authentikos' meaning 'original, genuine,' from 'authentes' (one acting on his own authority). The psychological emphasis on authenticity grew prominent in existential and humanistic psychology in the mid-20th century as a key component of mental health and self-actualization.
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