Self Actualising theory of Abraham Maslow THE SELF-ACTUALISING THEORY OF ABRAHAM MASLOW BACKGROUND - 1970 • 1908 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 • Awakens a longing for something greater in human • Pearl Harbour &WW2 ► nature. Human Potential - NB • = the exceptional people who fulfill their potential •Self-actualisers •Focus is on Healthy Functioning, rather than pathology. is NB to fulfill basic needs •Environment to ►Need ‘good’ societies develop ‘good’potential. People are basically good & worthy. • Founder of the of the humanistic movement • ‘third force’ for his third movement should add a new dimention to behaviorism & •Intend psychoanalysis. VIEW OF THE PERSON Essentially optimistic - acknowledges positive aspects of human nature • - dignity & active will to develop - Person is an integrated whole •Holistic view - 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 • - = when one need is satisfied the next one surfaces. “yearning being’ - Not merely a means to relieve tension, but a basis for growth. Needs - Hierachically arranged • - fulfilling basic needs depends on environment •BUT Few people in our imperfect society attain self-actualisation ►
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
PYC2601_Self_Actualising_theory_of_Abraham_Maslow.docx