Questions to Ponder Are humans mostly good? Or mostly evil? What makes some people act unselfishly towards others? Why are some people VERY selfish?

Important to Remember… While literature is not LITERALLY true, it is PSYCHOLOGICALLY true. The better the writing, the more true it will feel.

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) Most early psychologists studied people who had psychological problems, but Abraham Maslow studied successful people. Maslow decided that people want to be happy and loving, but they have particular needs that they must meet before they can act unselfishly.  

Maslow’s Assumptions Human nature is basically good, not evil Which character in The Road is the best model of this belief?

Maslow said that most people want more than they have Maslow said that most people want more than they have. Once a person met their most basic needs, they would develop higher needs. Maslow said, “As one desire is satisfied, another pops up in its place.” Maslow created a hierarchy of needs with five levels:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Physiological needs: Biological necessities such as food, water, and oxygen. These needs are the strongest because a person would die if they were not met. Food Water Oxygen Sleep Protection from extreme temperatures Elimination Sensory needs PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS 5

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Safety needs: People feel unsafe during emergencies, or times of disorder like rioting. Children more commonly do not have this need met when they feel afraid. The need to be free from anxiety and fear The need to be secure in the environment The need for order and routine SAFETY NEEDS PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Love and belonging needs: The need to escape loneliness and alienation, to give and receive love, and a sense of belonging. Social acceptance, friendship, to be loved Need to belong, to relate to others The ability to give and receive love and affection   LOVE, AFFECTION, AND BELONGINGNESS NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS 7

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Esteem needs: The need to feel valuable, to have self-respect and the respect of others. If a person does not fulfill their esteem needs, they feel inferior, weak, helpless, and worthless. Feeling important and worthwhile – includes respect, approval, appreciation ESTEEM NEEDS LOVE, AFFECTION, AND BELONGINGNESS NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS 8

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs FOR SELF- ACTUALIZATION Self-actualization needs: Maslow taught that a very small group of people reach a level called self-actualization, where all of their needs are met. Self-actualization; obtaining our full potential; becoming confident, eager to express our beliefs, and willing to reach out to others to help them 9

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs FOR SELF- ACTUALIZATION Self-realization; obtaining our full potential; becoming confident, eager to express our beliefs, and willing to reach out to others to help them 10

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs SELF- ACTUALIZATION ESTEEM NEEDS LOVE, AFFECTION, AND BELONGINGNESS NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS 11

Some Characteristics of Self-actualizing persons Increased acceptance of self, of others, and of nature Increased spontaneity Increased detachment and desire for privacy Increased independence and resistance to conformity Higher frequency of good experiences Improved relationships with others High levels of creativity

TO CLOSE: On the BACK of your page: What did you learn about this topic? 3 points important to remember about topic One question you have related to topic.

Homework: POST IT NOTE: quote a direct passage from The Road (Pgs. 100-187) that relates to a level in Maslow’s Hierarchy. Write quote and page # on side 1 Write the level & explanation of connection on side 2 Be prepared to share out passage/connection tomorrow. Continue reading! Pg. 187+