n a recent thesis, Paul Bailin conducted a philosophical investigation which included a meta-review of studies using the POI to examine the relationship between self-actualization and morality. The following is the abstract of his thesis.

The relationship between morality and a desirable human life has long been a concern of philosophers. While a range of stances have been taken regarding the relationship between virtue and the good life, it has perhaps most frequently been thought that virtue tends to result in happiness and/or well-being, providing people with a “naturalistic” reason to behave well. In this thesis, philosophical literature is reviewed and it is then argued that the nature of this relationship is at least in part an empirical question. Thus, two sets of psychological research with potential to shed light on the question are considered. The nature and quality of the empirical data are examined and there is an evaluation of the theoretical frameworks underlying that research.