Self Actualising theory of Abraham Maslow THE SELF-ACTUALISING THEORY OF ABRAHAM MASLOW BACKGROUND • 1908 - 1970 • Born to Russian Jew Immigrants, poor childhood. •Lacked warm relationship with his mother, grew up lonely & isolated. • Married his cousin at age 20 - turning point in his life • Studied psychology - starts off as extreme behaviorist • Birth of his child - he drops behaviorism permanently • Pearl Harbour &WW2 ► Awakens a longing for something greater in human nature. • Human Potential - NB •Self-actualisers = the exceptional people who fulfill their potential •Focus is on Healthy Functioning, rather than pathology. •Environment is NB to fulfill basic needs ►Need ‘good’ societies to develop ‘good’potential. • People are basically good & worthy. • Founder of the ‘third force’ of the humanistic movement •Intend for his third movement should add a new dimention to behaviorism & psychoanalysis. VIEW OF THE PERSON • Essentially optimistic - acknowledges positive aspects of human nature - dignity & active will to develop •Holistic view - Person is an integrated whole - Cannot be studied piecemeal - Stresses functioning as an integrated whole. (p338) • Self-actualisation = Motive underlying all behavior. - Goal = realizing full potential - Requires no change in basic nature, individual simply needs to let what is already there, flourish • Need Gratification - What much of human behavior is about - “yearning being’ = when one need is satisfied the next one surfaces. - Not merely a means to relieve tension, but a basis for growth. • Needs - Hierachically arranged •BUT - fulfilling basic needs depends on environment ► Few people in our imperfect society attain self-actualisation
- Means usually regarded as inferior to goal - Can enjoy the means as much as the goal • Can turn boring tasks into enjoyable games (creative) •Not religious in an orthodox sense, but have strong ethical and moral codes • No uncertainty about right or wrong. 13. A Philosophical, Benevolent sense of Humour. • Enjoys humour that provokes a smile rather than a hearty laugh • Not amused by a joke at someone’s expense • Amused by absurdities caused by pride, or humour that has a message • Can laugh at themselves. 14. Creativity • A specific kind of creativity/originality/ingenuity: - Like the naïve, universal creativity of children • look at the world in a fresh way. • Genius of someone like Mozart = Present at birth, not based on psychological wel- being or need gratification - Mozart might not have been a self-actualising person. • Creativity is linked to - Ability to see more deeply & accurately - ability to act more spontaneously. 15. Resistance against enculturation • Abide by own rules, rather than those of community •BUT they do not pointlessly rebel against matters that don’t matter (dress code, language, habits, etc) • Would rather change a system from within than attack it from without. • Live in harmony with community, but detached and functioning autonomously. 1. Accurate observation of reality 2. Self-acceptance, accepting others and human nature 3. Spontaneity, simplicity and naturalness 4. Task involvement 5. Exclusiveness - the need for privacy 6. Autonomy : Being independent of culture and environment 7. Consistent renewal of appreciation 8. Peak Experience 9. Social feeling 10. Interpersonal relationships 11. Democratic character 12. Discrimination between goal & means, and between good & evil. 13. A philosophical, benevolent sense of humour. 14. Creativity