Maslow 's Theory Of Self Actualization

Abraham Maslow was a psychotherapist, considered the founder of the humanist movement in psychology. He examined the human experience by looking at the things that are most important to us: love, hope, faith, spirituality, individuality, and existence. One of the most crucial aspects of this theory is that to reach the most highly developed state of consciousness and realize the greatest potential, an individual must discover his true purpose in life and pursue it. Maslow refers to this ultimate state of being as self-actualization. His famous Hierarchy of Needs, which is often drawn as a pyramid, positions the most basic needs at the base of the pyramid and each of the other essential requirements for a fulfilled life in the groups at the top of the pyramid. (The Psychology Book.) 2012.

Abraham Maslow theorized the concept of self-actualization which is the term used to describe the state of self-fulfillment in which people realize their highest potentials in their own unique way. Maslow’s theory includes sublevels that must be achieved before reaching self-actualization. In this paper, I will explain how each of his previous levels have affected my life, and give an idea of when I may hope to achieve self-actualization. Self-actualization is the term that Abraham Maslow used to describe the state of self-fulfillment in which people realize their highest potentials in their own unique way. The personal reflections accommodate to my perspective of the Maslow’s Theory.

As stated further by Maslow, there are five levels in the need hierarchy, which are physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization and they are very often of unconscious nature and can be at certain times reserved. Unfortunately, there are not too many who are capable of reaching self-actualization and the ones who will are very creative and acknowledge the world very accurately. An individual however is always aware of the fact that he or she has possesses a choice and therefore he or she has the ability to influence their behavior and personality at anytime (Cloninger, 2008).

Abraham H. Maslow, an American psychologist who explores the complexities of human nature in his theoretical piece, The Farther Reaches of Human Nature, examines the theory of self-actualization. This theory, which focuses on experiencing completely, evocatively and selflessly while maintaining full focus and absorption, is practiced to become the best version of oneself and undergo transcendence (44). Maslow’s ideals are influential and implemented by James Arthur Baldwin. Baldwin, a civil rights activist from Harlem, New York, is an essayist and novelist who is a highly perceptive, well-known writer with numerous works, including The Fire Next Time. Baldwin uses this memoir to project his voice on behalf of Black America in the

This is the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Self-actualizing people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested fulfilling their potential an they want participate to take decision.

An American psychologist, Abraham Maslow, became widely known for developing a theory of psychological health. With this in mind, his research discovered people tend to motivate around the ability to achieve certain needs for reaching a level of fulfillment in their lives. Maslow’s concept, known as the hierarchy of needs, brought into prominence the notion of self-actualization introduced some years earlier by Kurt Goldstein. Self-actualization evolves from the achievement of an individual’s full potential accomplished by passing through all the levels of the hierarchy to its zenith. And while many psychological theories tend to take on aberrational qualities, this one appears quite rational and stands the test of time. In fact, its

Abraham Maslow theory on hierarchy of needs view humans as having tremendous potential for personals development. He believed it was human nature for people to seek to know more about themselves and strive to develop their capacities to the fullest. He viewed human nature as good and saw them striving for self-actualization as a positive process because it leads people to identify their abilities, to strive to develop them, to feel good as they become themselves, and to be beneficial to society. Yet, he believed that very few people fully attain a state of self-actualization. Maslow saw most people as being in a constant state of striving to satisfy their needs (Kirst-Ashman & Zastrow, 2013, p. 505). A significant journal

Each person has a reason for the actions and behaviors they execute daily, those reasons are their motivations. These motivations are unique to the individual, as Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist, wrote in his 1943 paper, A Theory of Human Motivation, in which he describes the hierarchy of needs, generalizing what every human requires for life. He describes these needs as a five-tiered hierarchy system and are what motivates each human in their life and is structured so that an individual cannot reach the next tier unless the lower one(s) have been fulfilled, though not necessarily at 100 percent fulfillment. Maslow believed that every person has the desire to reach self-actualization, the fifth tier in his hierarchy, though not

Abraham Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs in 1940. “Maslow deserves credit for bringing a more holistic, humanistic, and positive approach to the study of human motivation” (McShane & Von Glinow, 2014, p.90). Maslow took several steps in studying human motivation. He first started with a holistic approach. He explained that human needs should be studied in groups. People are dependent on those around them, which implies that people drive each other’s behaviors and needs. Second, he studied with a humanistic view on human motivation. This approach suggested that humanistic needs are influence by an individual’s personal and social environments, “not just instincts” (McShane & Von Glinow, 2014, p.90). Third, Maslow put a positive spin on motivation theory. He stressed the importance of self-actualization, which had never been done before in the study of motivation.

It was many years ago, when I first read about a man named Abraham Maslow. Maslow was an American psychologist who developed a pyramidal hierarchy of needs. At the base of his pyramid, Abraham Maslow placed the basic “physiological needs” such as: food, water, and sleep. The next layer of his pyramid was “safety”, which was followed by “love/belonging”, and then “esteem”. Although, my interest truly began when I reached the very top of the pyramid which was labeled “self-actualization”. Self-actualization was the term Maslow used to describe individuals who had fulfilled their full potential. My eyes twinkled with curiosity as I read. Could I really do it? I wondered. Could I reach a state of self-actualization? It was in that very moment that self-actualization became my ultimate goal. I would reach my full potential. I would become the best possible version of myself.

Those familiar with Maslow 's hierarchy of needs know that self-actualization - be all you can be - is the highest level human need (the needs in order from lowest to highest are: BASIC: physiological (health, food, sleep, sex, water, etc.), and security (of the body, of employment, of resources, of morality, of property; insurance, etc.). If basic needs are not met, there can be no movement towards self-actualization. Over and above the basic needs are the SOCIAL and PSYCHOLOGICAL needs: belonging (love, affection, friendship, family sexual intimacy, etc.), esteem (self-esteem, esteem from others, personal worth, social recognition, confidence, achievement, etc.) and self-actualization (morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, acceptance of facts, etc.)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs describes the building blocks where an individual can reach their highest and full potential to have an impact on themselves and the world around them. There are 4 key stages to achieve self-actualization that are incumbent upon one another. To answer the question, first we have to understand what are those 4 key stages, and most importantly to dig deeper into the concept of self-actualization.

Abraham Maslow became famous for his hierarchy of innate needs. At the bottom of his ascending pyramid are the physiological needs for food and water, and even, according to Maslow, sex. The next level is comprised of safety needs: security, order, and stability. Children need to feel safe and secure in their environment and feel free from fear and anxiety. The third level includes needs for belongingness and love through close relationships with others. After belongingness and love are esteem needs. One will feel a sense of self-worth within him or herself and from others through status and recognition of abilities. The top level of the hierarchy is the need for self-actualization. People who are self-actualized fulfill their full potential of talents and abilities, expressing the fullness of who they are.

“According to Maslow, the most abstract need is self-actualization” (Wood, 2014, p.26). As humans we seek personal growth. We want to feel good about ourselves and what we bring to the table. We want to be the best versions of ourselves at home, school, and work. For example, before I started my current job

Maslow’s Self –Actualization Theory or Motivation Theory.Self-actualization represents a concept derived from Humanistic psychological theory and, specifically, from the theory created by Abraham Maslow. Self-actualization characterizes individual’s growth performance toward fulfilment of the highest needs (Olson, 2013).From Maslow's viewpoint, the drive to learn is intrinsic. The purpose of learning is to bring about self-actualization, and the goals of educators should include this process.