Personality Development: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (One Theory)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory of personality. Widely influential due to practicality of theory. Accurately describes many realities of personal experiences. People tend to identify with the theory, and can recognize within the theory aspects of their experiences/behaviors.

Maslow’s Hierarchy Background Jewish American, born 1908 Based on “wonderful people.” Introduced theory in 1954, but added on to it as the years went on. One of 3 main theories (Freud, behaviorism)

Maslow’s Hierarchy Background Abraham Maslow - Humanistic Psychologist. Focus on potentials: Humans strive for upper level capabilities, creativity, the highest reaches of consciousness, wisdom. Referred to as a “Fully Functioning Person", a “Healthy Personality", or according to Maslow a “Self-Actualizing Person."

Maslow’s Hierarchy Background Basic needs are instinctual, equal to animalistic instincts. Humans start with a very weak character that is fully shaped as the person grows and has needs met. “Right” environment: People grow straight and beautiful, actualizing the potentials they have inherited. “Wrong” environment: Often this is the case; will not grow to be a “beautiful” person.

More Background Five levels of basic needs. Beyond these needs, higher levels of needs can very well exist, including: needs for understanding, aesthetic appreciation and spiritual needs. Of the basic needs, a person doesn’t feel the second need until the demands of the first have been satisfied, etc.

Physiological/Biological Strongest needs. Needs for oxygen, food, water, and a relatively constant body temperature. Also may see shelter, clothing, sleep. If a person were deprived of all needs, the physical ones would come first in the person's search for satisfaction.

Safety When physical needs satisfied (no longer controlling thoughts/behaviors), needs for security activated. Adults may have little awareness of security needs except in times of emergency, natural disasters, or social disorganization (i.e. rioting). However, children often display signs of insecurity and the need to be /feel safe. Also may see: Job/Finances, Health Insurance, etc.

Love, Affection & Belonging When physical and safety needs are met, needs for love, affection and belonging emerge. People seek to overcome feelings of loneliness and alienation. This involves both giving & receiving love, affection and the sense of belonging.

Self-Esteem When first three levels of needs are satisfied, needs for esteem become dominant. Self-esteem and recognition/admiration from others. Natural to have a need for firmly based, high level of self-respect, and respect from others. Needs satisfied? Person feels self-confident, valuable part of our society. Needs unfulfilled? Person feels inferior, weak, helpless and worthless, or a sense of these things.

Self-Actualization After first four levels met, self- actualization need is activated. A person's need to be and do what the person was "born to do." Maslow: "A musician must make music, an artist must paint, and a poet must write.“ Artsy analogies, but you get the idea.

Self-Actualization SA needs appear in signs of restlessness. Person feels on edge, tense - lacking something in their life. If a person is hungry, unsafe, not loved or accepted, lacks self-esteem, it’s easy to know what the person is restless about. It is not always clear what a person “wants” when working on the need for self- actualization.

Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs

Maslow believes… The only reason people wouldn’t move in the direction of self-actualization is because of societal obstacles. Education is a hindrance; needs to be switched to person-growing approaches. Educators should respond to potential one has (not always shows) for growing into a self- actualizing person of his/her own kind – we won’t all self-actualize in the same way.

What should educators address? Be authentic: Be aware of inner self listen to inner- feelings. Transcend cultural conditioning: Become world citizens. Discover vocation: One’s calling, fate or destiny. Finding the right career and also the correct mate. Life is precious: There is joy in life. Be open to seeing the good in all kinds of situations. Makes life worth living. Accept the person: Help person learn their inner nature. Realistic view of aptitudes, limitations and knowing what to build upon. What potentials are really there.

What should educators address? Basic needs satisfied: First four needs. Revive consciousness: Appreciate beauty, good things in nature and in others. Controls are good/needed: Complete abandon is bad. Need personal control to improve quality of life in all areas. Fight the serious problems in life: Don’t sweat the small stuff. Injustice, pain/suffering, and death. Be good choosers: Practice good decision-making.

Activity: Your Hierarchy Depict what YOUR Maslow’s Hierarchy would have to look like in order for you to reach self-actualization.

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