Abraham Maslow ( ) Humanistic-Existential Paradigm Self-actualization Theory

Maslow’s Assumptions  Human nature is basically good, not evil  Normal human development involves the actualization of this inherent goodness

Central Human Motive Self-Actualization

Maslow’s Assumptions...  Psychopathology results from the frustration of a human being’s essential nature

 Self-Actualization  Esteem  Love  Safety  Physiological Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS MOST NEEDS HAVE TO DO WITH SURVIVAL PHYSICALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS ON THE WHOLE AN INDIVIDUAL CANNOT SATISFY ANY LEVEL UNLESS NEEDS BELOW ARE SATISFIED

Safety Needs  from physical attack  from emotional attack  from fatal disease  from invasion  from extreme losses (job, family members, home, friends)

Safety: A Most Powerful Need  when frightened, our thoughts and energies are diverted  threat of, or actual attack creates “fight or flight” reaction  threats to safety can be physical or emotional

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs PHYSIOLOGICAL OR SURVIVAL NEEDS SAFETY NEEDS LOVE, AFFECTION, AND BELONGINGNESS NEEDS

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

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs SELF-ACTUALIZATION NEEDFOR MASLOW EMPHASIZES NEED FOR SELF ACTUALIZATION IS ACTUALIZATION IS A HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL’S PRIME MOTIVATION

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs SELF-ACTUALIZATION NEEDFOR MASLOW EMPHASIZES NEED FOR SELF ACTUALIZATION IS ACTUALIZATION IS A HEALTHY INDIVIDUAL’S PRIME MOTIVATION SELF-ACTUALIZATION MEANS ACTUALIZING ONE’S POTENTIAL BECOMING ALL ONE IS CAPABLE OF BECOMING

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

but we can nearly all do more than we think we can Nobody can do everything,

PHYSIOLOGICAL-necessary for life; unmet, these needs lead to death  Food  Water  Oxygen  Sleep  Protection from extreme temperatures  Elimination  Sensory needs  Motor needs

SAFETY/SECURITY  The need to be free from anxiety and fear  The need to be secure in the environment  The need for order and routine

LOVE AND AFFECTION  Social acceptance, friendship, to be loved  Need to belong, to relate to others  Sexuality -a person’s feelings/attitude toward their masculine/feminine nature  Sexuality -the ability to give and receive love and affection -reproductive capabilities

ESTEEM  Feeling important and worthwhile – includes respect, approval, appreciation  We engage in activities that bring achievement, success, and recognition  We gain self-confidence and begin to direct our actions toward becoming what we WANT to be

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

To meet our human needs  We usually learn what works by trial-and-error  Direct methods v. Indirect methods  Stress reactions  Challenges and responsibilities

DIRECT METHODS  Hard work  Setting realistic goals  Cooperating with others  Evaluating effectively

INDIRECT METHODS  Suppression  Projection  Denial  Rationalization  Compensation  *Note: These are unhealthy when used too often, but sometimes allows us to cope!

When defense mechanisms are inadequate, stress reactions develop:  Chronic complaining and demanding behavior  Agitation with manipulative behavior  Restlessness  Sleeplessness  Depression-be alert for potential suicide  Withdrawal

The 17 Metaneeds  Truth  Goodness  Beauty  Wholeness  Dichotomy-transcendence  Aliveness  Uniqueness  Perfection  Necessity

The 17 Metaneeds.....  Completion  Justice  Order  Simplicity  Richness  Effortlessness  Playfulness  Self-sufficiency

Maslow’s Definition of a Self-actualized Person  Has no mental illness  Satisfied in basic needs  Fully exploited talents  Motivated by values

Some Characteristics of Self-actualizing persons  Superior perception of reality  Increased acceptance of self, of others, and of nature  Increased spontaneity  Increased detachment and desire for privacy  Greater freshness of appreciation and richness of emotional reaction

Some Characteristics of Self-actualizing persons.....  Increased autonomy and resistance to conformity  Higher frequency of peak experiences  Increased identification with the human species  Improved interpersonal experiences  More democratic character structure  High levels of creativity