interview with Maslow
Interview With Abraham Maslow
P.D. Question: Mr. Maslow? If you had to describe your life and your work in the field of psychology what would you say?
A.M. Answer: I grew up in Brooklyn New York, the first of seven children April 1, 1908. I would describe my childhood as being unhappy and a lonely experience, so I immersed myself in books. After grade school I attended the City College of New York, then later went to the University of Wisconsin where I developed an interest in psychology. There I earned three degrees, a bachelor’s in 1930, a masters in 1931, and my doctorate in 1934. Soon after I began teaching at Brooklyn College in 1937 and continued to work as a faculty member until 1951.
P.D. Question: What would you say was your major contribution to the field of psychology?
A.M. Answer. I would have to say my major contribution would be my focus on humanistic needs. It was from this aspect of that I created the model in which I titled the hierarchy of needs. The model prioritizes the basic human needs from most important to least important. For example, physiological needs such as food, water, and health are the base of our human needs, and self-actualization is the least, suggesting that most of us will never reach the pinnacle of the pyramid but we all strive to.
P.D. Question: which psychological perspective of school of thought do your ideas adhere to?
A.M. Answer. At a time when most psychologists were focusing on the negative aspect of mental health, I was more interested in the positive side. I had natural interest in the human potential to reach their peak potential and improving one’s own mental health issues through seeking personal growth. Through this belief, I became one of the founders and driving force behind the school of thought of humanistic psychology. From this school of thought came my three theories, the hierarchy of needs, self-actualization and peak experiences.
P.D. Question: Is your perspective or school of thought
P.D. Question: Mr. Maslow? If you had to describe your life and your work in the field of psychology what would you say?
A.M. Answer: I grew up in Brooklyn New York, the first of seven children April 1, 1908. I would describe my childhood as being unhappy and a lonely experience, so I immersed myself in books. After grade school I attended the City College of New York, then later went to the University of Wisconsin where I developed an interest in psychology. There I earned three degrees, a bachelor’s in 1930, a masters in 1931, and my doctorate in 1934. Soon after I began teaching at Brooklyn College in 1937 and continued to work as a faculty member until 1951.
P.D. Question: What would you say was your major contribution to the field of psychology?
A.M. Answer. I would have to say my major contribution would be my focus on humanistic needs. It was from this aspect of that I created the model in which I titled the hierarchy of needs. The model prioritizes the basic human needs from most important to least important. For example, physiological needs such as food, water, and health are the base of our human needs, and self-actualization is the least, suggesting that most of us will never reach the pinnacle of the pyramid but we all strive to.
P.D. Question: which psychological perspective of school of thought do your ideas adhere to?
A.M. Answer. At a time when most psychologists were focusing on the negative aspect of mental health, I was more interested in the positive side. I had natural interest in the human potential to reach their peak potential and improving one’s own mental health issues through seeking personal growth. Through this belief, I became one of the founders and driving force behind the school of thought of humanistic psychology. From this school of thought came my three theories, the hierarchy of needs, self-actualization and peak experiences.
P.D. Question: Is your perspective or school of thought