maslow from gruop b; beatrice, trina, jo kevin, mark
ABRAHAM MASLOW
The psychology of Maslow overlaps with that of Carl Rogers in many ways. He proposed that there was a hierarchy of needs, ascending from the basic biological needs to the more complex psychological motivations that become important only after the basic needs have been satisfied. the needs at one level must be at least partially satisfied before the next level become important motivators of action.
When food and safety are difficult to obtain , efforts to satisfy those needs will dominate a persons actions and higher motives will have little significance. Only when basic needs are satisfied will and individual have the time and energy to other interests. Artistic and scientific endeavours don’t flourish in societies which people struggle for food. Self-Actualization can be fulfilled only after other needs are satisfied.
Characteristics of self-actualizers
Perceive reality efficiently and are able to tolerate uncertain
Accept themselves and others for what they are
Spontaneous in thought and behaviour
Problem centred rather than self centred
Have a good sense of humour
Highly creative
Resistant to socialization although not purposely unconventional
Concerned for the welfare of humanity
Capable of deep appreciation of the basic experiences of life
Establish deep, satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few rather than many people
Able to look at life from an objective viewpoint
Behaviour leading to self-actualizers
Experience life as a child does, with full absorption and concentration
Try something new rather than sticking to secure safe ways
Listen to your own feeling in evaluating experiences rather than to the voice of tradition or authority or majority
Be honest: ; avoid pretences or "game playing"
Be prepared to be unpopular in your views do not coincide with those of most people
Assume responsibility
Work hard at whatever you decide to do
Try to identify your defences and have the courage to give them up
Maslow decided to study self actualizers- men and women who had made extraordinary use of their potential. He studies historic figures like Spinoza, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln. Jane Adams, Albert Eisten and Eleanor Roosevelt. He then extended his study to a population of college students. Selecting students who fit his definition of self actualises and he found this group to be in the healthiest 1% of the population. These students showed no signs of maladjustment and were making effective use of their talents and capabilities. According o maslow only an individual growing towards self acualization can be said to be psychologically healthy. Mere ego control or adaptation to the environment is not enough.
I would agree with Maslows theory as it is important a child at a young age (0 to 6) to have the basic needs met but would question his classification of basic need for example some from third world might have heir basic needs met according to their standard of life while according to maslow it might not be met. The study he did was done on a western culture and am sure there children who have made it even though they did not qualify to his hierarchy of need e.g. may be they got a lot of emotional support from their parents when they were young even though they lacked some of the basic needs.
Does this mean if you never fulfilled the hierarchy of need you never reach the self actualization state?
Maslow can also be criticized on building theory on observations of solely on health people. His theory is best suited to functioning people whose basic needs have been met, freeing them to concern themselves to higher needs.
Many observers believe that Americans are obsessed with the individual and show little concern for the welfare of the larger society. A psychology that raises individual self fulfilment and actualization to the top of the hierarchy may provide a " sanction for selfishness" (wallach &wallach, 1983) although maslow lists concern for the welfare of humanity among he characteristics o self acualizers and some of the self actualizers identified by maslow- such as Eleanor Roosevelt- clearly possessed this characteristic, it is not included in the hierarchy of needs.
beatrice kamande
