Abraham Maslow

The book titled Toward a Psychology of Being contained a chapter by Abraham Maslow titled Some Basic Propositions of a Growth and Self-Actualization Psychology. In this chapter Maslow expounds on his perspective of self-actualization, and how he believes through growth towards self-actualization a human can maintain their full human potential. Many psychologists in modern practice incorporate some aspects if not all of Maslow’s theories. In studying someone such as Maslow we are given the privilege of studying modern theories, but also at the same time an opportunity to peek into the future of psychology. When psychologists such as Freud, and Skinner introduced their theories it was a new knowledge, or a paradigm shift. Here again with Maslow we can see another paradigm shift occurring. This shift however, is not a different way to practice research methods, or a different way to administer treatment for individuals suffering a psychosis. This paradigm shift is knowledge based, in that Maslow introduces a new method of exploring, and explaining the phenomena we call human nature. In this chapter Maslow expounds on the change by stating “We are now in the middle of such a change in the conception of man’s capacities, potentialities and goals. A new vision is emerging of the possibilities of man and of his destiny”.
Self-Actualization is founded upon existential psychology, or the realization and understanding of one's existence and social responsibility. Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow initiated the movement with this new perspective on understanding people's personality and improving their overall life satisfaction. This perspective emphasizes a person's struggle to develop and maintain an integrated, harmonious personality as the primary motivational force in human behavior. Self-actualization is the total fulfillment of one's talents and abilities, the realization of a person's potential.
Maslow is similar to Freud in the sense that both believed in