Maslow’s approach was quite a bit different than many of his contemporaries.
His now-iconic pyramid of needs helped redefine how we think about human motivation.
Maslow later described his early childhood as unhappy andlonely.
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He spent much of his time in the library immersed in books.
Maslow studied law at City College of New York (CCNY).
During this time, he was heavily influenced byGestaltpsychologistMax Wertheimerand anthropologist Ruth Benedict.
Maslow believed that they were such exceptional people that he began to analyze and take notes on their behavior.
This analysis served as the basis for his theories and research on human potential.
Humanistic Psychology
In the 1950s, Maslow became one of the founders and driving forces behindhumanistic psychology.
How did Maslow’s ideas compare to other theories that were popular at the time?
Some key differences:
Self-Actualization
The process of self-actualization played a critical role in Maslow’s theory.
He defined this tendency as “the full use and exploitation of talents, capacities, potentialities, etc.
“In other words, people are constantly in the process of striving to reach their full potential.
Once other needs are met, people feel more highly motivated to become the best possible versions of themselves.
Self-actualization is not an endpoint or a destination.
Maslow also believed thatself-actualizing peoplepossess a number of key characteristics.
Some of these include self-acceptance, spontaneity, independence, and the ability to have peak experiences.
This contributed to the humanist movement and the later development of positive psychology.
Mental Health
His work influenced how we see mental health.
He helped shift the focus of mental illness from illness to personal growth.
Continued Influence
His work continues to exert an influence today.
Maslow died in California on June 8, 1970, of a heart attack.
While psychology primarily focused on deficits and dysfunction, he helped shift this interest to studying growth and fulfillment.
The needs pyramid wasn’t his only contribution, though.
His work expressed a powerful belief in human potential.
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