Abraham Maslow
Abraham Maslow: A Humanistic Phenomenon
Abstract Abraham Maslow is considered to be the father of Humanistic Psychology. Though growing up in a cruel household, he accomplished much in his lifetime. An avid advocate of “Human Motivation”, Maslow developed many theories corresponding to the subject. This article goes into detail on his theory of Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Actualization. Maslow put forth the notion of a 5-level pyramid of needs. Psychological, Safety and Security, Love and Belonging, and Esteem were considered essential “basic” needs. These must be fulfilled before a person can reach the highest level of Self-Actualization. Maslow studied a range of historical and public figures to come to a conclusion of the characteristics of a self-actualized individual. A self- evaluation of myself concludes the essay. While evaluating yourself is never an easy task, I thought extensively on how to bring myself to a self-actualized level. I would be honored to eventually achieved the self-actualized potential, as only less than 2 percent of our population have been recorded as so.
Early Life Abraham Maslow was the first-born child of Samuel and Rose Maslow. He was born on April 1, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were destitute, uneducated immigrants from Russia. Strongly religious, they strictly adhered to the Judaism denomination. Maslow was raised the sole Jewish boy in a non-Jewish neighborhood. Due to this, he grew up lonely and found contentment in books. Maslow once said “I was a little Jewish boy in a non-Jewish neighborhood. It was a little like being the first Negro enrolled in an all-white school. I was isolated and unhappy. I grew up in libraries and among books, without friends” (Hall, 1968, p.37) The home-life of Abraham Maslow was filled with troubled times, as well. The relationship between Maslow and his father was hostile. Being uneducated himself, Samuel Maslow forced his son to be versed in
Abstract Abraham Maslow is considered to be the father of Humanistic Psychology. Though growing up in a cruel household, he accomplished much in his lifetime. An avid advocate of “Human Motivation”, Maslow developed many theories corresponding to the subject. This article goes into detail on his theory of Hierarchy of Needs and Self-Actualization. Maslow put forth the notion of a 5-level pyramid of needs. Psychological, Safety and Security, Love and Belonging, and Esteem were considered essential “basic” needs. These must be fulfilled before a person can reach the highest level of Self-Actualization. Maslow studied a range of historical and public figures to come to a conclusion of the characteristics of a self-actualized individual. A self- evaluation of myself concludes the essay. While evaluating yourself is never an easy task, I thought extensively on how to bring myself to a self-actualized level. I would be honored to eventually achieved the self-actualized potential, as only less than 2 percent of our population have been recorded as so.
Early Life Abraham Maslow was the first-born child of Samuel and Rose Maslow. He was born on April 1, 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. His parents were destitute, uneducated immigrants from Russia. Strongly religious, they strictly adhered to the Judaism denomination. Maslow was raised the sole Jewish boy in a non-Jewish neighborhood. Due to this, he grew up lonely and found contentment in books. Maslow once said “I was a little Jewish boy in a non-Jewish neighborhood. It was a little like being the first Negro enrolled in an all-white school. I was isolated and unhappy. I grew up in libraries and among books, without friends” (Hall, 1968, p.37) The home-life of Abraham Maslow was filled with troubled times, as well. The relationship between Maslow and his father was hostile. Being uneducated himself, Samuel Maslow forced his son to be versed in
Cited: Boeree, C. George. www.webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow/html. 1998. 15 04 2013. Cherry, Kendra. www.psychology.about.com/od/theoriesofpersonality/a/hierarchyneeds_2.html. N.D. 01 04 2013. Emrich, Michelle. http://www.muskingum.edu/~psych/psycweb/history/maslow.htm. N.d. 01 04 2013. Heylighen, Francis. "A Cognitive-Systemic Reconstruction of Maslow 's Theory of Self-Actualization." PESP, Free University of Brussels, Behavioral Science (1992): 39-50. Hoffman, E. "The Right to be Human." Ed. Inc Jeremy P. Tarcher. Los Angeles, CA, 1988. Huitt, W. www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/conation/maslow.html. 2007. 01 04 2013. McLeod, Saul. www.simplepsychology.org/maslow.html. 2007. 01 04 2013. Patel, Janki. http://www.carthage.edu/psychology/history/abraham-maslow. 2012. 2013 01 04. Simpson, Lyle L. "What is the Purpose for Your Life?" Reaseach Paper. N.D. Wilson, C. "New Pathways in Psychology." New York, NY: Taplinger Publishing Company, 1972. 156-160.