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Self- Actualization of Maslow Theories Could Be Studies of Himself Tyrone Gill PSY 101 Victoria Brunkhorst 2/21/11 This paper will focus on the last level of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy theory of need. Our main focus will be on Self-Actualization. I will give a simplified biography of Maslow which will give insight to his upbringing and the world he lived in both as a child and adult. I will attempt to tie together how his environment affected him throughout his adulthood. It is believed that Maslow’s theory of Self-Actualization has a deep rooted connection with his social conditioning. His works in my views was a search to clarify the environment that he was exposed to both as a child and adult. We shall examine those possibilities. Discussed will be Maslow’s relationship with his mother, father and how his upbringing affected his life. I will attempt to expose his subconscious desires to rationalize the neglect he experienced as a child from his primary care givers. We will attempt to discover how this void in his life may have lead to his search for an understanding of human needs. Examine also will be Maslow’s theory of what happens if those needs are not satisfied. It is my suspicions that even though there may be some obvious dysfunctions within a family structure one can seek a change, to grow and fulfill ones potential. The Childhood Environment of Maslow’s Abraham Maslow was born in 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. He was the oldest of seven children. He was push by his parents to become academic successful because they were uneducated Jewish immigrants from Russia. Maslow as a child was very lonely and had feelings of inferiority. He felt his mother was unloving and his father had a love for whiskey, fighting and women. His father eventually abandoned the family and this was a major feeling of hate towards his mother. In my opinion Maslow’s environment at the micro level consists of feelings of detachment, and emotional neglect. Let’s examine Cantwell’s(1997) definition of what neglectful parents fail to provide for their children .Cantwell suggest that when parents failure to adequately bond with the child it leads to emotional neglect. Cantwell theory indicates the child experiences stimulation neglect. Neglectful parents often demonstrate an inability to provide stimulation for their offspring, thus endangering their emotional and neurological development. Cantwell’s theory gives supports to my suspicion that Maslow’s needs were not met as a child. When examining Maslow’s theory that centered on the premise that humans acquire a healthy psychological state mind if all of ones needs on all levels are satisfied prior to going to the next level. In my views this is what Maslow lack, because he was isolated and lonely as a boy. Maslow anger toward his mother and father affected his life. His physiological needs were not satisfied as a child. Maslow’s childhood shaped his adulthood. We as humans, all are affected by what is encountered during childhood. In some cases the effects of our experiences are in subconscious mind lying dormant until something happens to trigger it to the surface. Maslow’s research could have been an subconscious attempt to understand the anger he had toward his parents or it may have done to pointy out the importance of satisfying the four levels of needs in the our psychological development. Even, while examine Maslow’s adulthood it seems to be some possible connections that leads one to believe his theory was an attempt to understand his inner self. “The act of one marring their cousin has been known to be prohibited by law in the United States. Even though some states differ in the prohibition against marriage between cousins what is more important may be stigma that is attached this cultural and legal taboo’s (Crosson-Tower, 2005).” Culturally, Weinberg (1955, p.31) describes four components of stereotyping: 1. An inner revulsion to incest 2. Disgust with the participants 3. Perception that participants are mentally or emotionally abnormal 4. Perception of a disorganized or even absent family life It is supported in current studies that incestuous relationship are barriers to children’s autonomous development. Incestuous families demonstrate disorganization and dysfunction suggested by early theorist. Self – Actualization As a theorist Maslow indicates that individuals strive for self-actualization. He believes that behaviorism could solve many of the world problems. He sought to studies humanistic form of psychology. In 1941 Maslow witnessed a parade which was said to have changed his view of life. His work would now focused on improving human personality and demonstrate that people are capable of displaying better behaviors than prejudice, haltered and aggression. His goal was to humanize psychology. Belonging having a social context is requisite for the development of self-esteem and self-confidence; this is why Maslow positioned self-esteem above belonging in his hierarchy. Without a social context can vary from small and concrete, as with babies, to universal and highly abstract, as with artists. Simons, Irwin & Drinnien (1987), supported the general idea that humanists do not believe that human being are pushed and pulled by mechanical forces, either of stimuli and reinforcement (behaviorism) or of unconscious instinctual impulses (psychoanalysis). Humanist focus on potentials. They believe that humans strive for an upper level of capabilities. Humans seek the frontiers of creativity, the highest reaches of consciousness and wisdom. This has been labeled as a fully functioning person with a healthy personality. Maslow calls this level, “self-actualizing person. Maslow’s four levels of needs: 1. The physiological needs, the need for oxygen, water, protein salt sugar etc. 2. The safety and security need comes into play only after the physiological needs are fulfilled. a. The love and belonging needs occurs only after the physiological and safety needs are taken care of b. The esteem needs focus on self-esteem. Maslow felt this level should have two parts, the lower and higher level. His theory indicates that in order for us to satisfy the self-actualization needs: 1. We must be free of constraints imposed by society and by ourselves. 2. We must not be distracted by the lower-order needs 3. We must be secure in our self-image and in our relationships worth other peoples; 4. We must be able to love and be loved in return. 5. We must have a realistic knowledge of our strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices. According to Maslow’s theory. Lower level needs are called deficit. He feels failure to satisfy them will produce a deficit in the body. Therefore, Maslow’s theory focus on the assumption lower needs must be met before higher needs can emerge. Maslow’s theory suggests, the lower the need, the greater the strength. The higher needs growth or the Being Needs are more vital for survival but will enhance physical and emotional wellbeing. The safety needs are significant in the development of infants and neurotic adults. Maslow himself had an inferiority complex. Maslow defines belongingness and love needs that are satisfaction goals accomplished through association with a group or affectionate relations with one person or with people in general. I fell that Maslow was actually his on therapist indicating a correlation of his thoughts within his studies of self-actualization. We have examined some of the indications that his self-experiences subconsciously or even consciously may have been the bases of his thoughts within his studies of self-actualization. We have examined some of the indications that his self-experiences subconsciously or even consciously may have been the bases of his research. Duane P. Schultz and Sydney E. Schultz (2005) introduction of Subjectivity in Personality Theories indicates that psychologist recognize that personality theories may reflect events of a theorist’s life as a sort of disguised autobiography. The text goes on to explain that psychologist may have subjective components within their theory. It viewed how these events may be a source of data that may support or describe the Psychologist views. It was pointed out that it is hard for scientist at times to remain objective and impartial. I agree that as human beings we may find it difficult to accept ideas that diverge from one’s own experiences. Dr. C. George Boeree (1998) states, “There are a few criticisms that are directed at Maslow’s theory. Some of the most common criticism concerns his methodology. He picks a small number of people. Some even felt that Self Actualization was not a good science. In his defense, it should be pointed out that he understood this, and thought of his work as simply pointing the way. He hoped that others would take up the cause and complete what he had begun in a more rigorous fashion. It is assumed that Maslow, the “father” of American humanism, began his career as a behaviorist more so than as a physiologist. He did indeed believe in science, and often grounded his ideas in biology. He only meant to broaden psychology to include the best in us, as the pathological.” In my views Maslow research lacks the proper evidence to support the bases of his theory. His research seemed to be narrow and consist of speculation. Since his theory cannot automatically conclude that his primary correlation method relates to the cause and effect, one cannot conclude that it exists as can with a more- controlled, systematic experiment. Maslow had some ideal of the concept of personality which it seems his data was a based personal type theory. Maslow was unlike formal theory that explained and predicts the behavior of more kinds of people. Formal theory is geared toward being more objective and unbiased. I must also, conclude that it is only fair to recognize Maslow was human and his works may or may not have been a subjective component that reflected the events in is life. It very well could be as Pervin (1984) states, “It may not be the life experiences that influence the development of the theory. Instead, it maybe the theory influences what the theorists recalls, and choose to tell us about their lives. “It is important we recognize, that his work has provided the foundation that future psychologist may use as a stepping stone for future work. Reference Crosson- Tower, C. (2005). Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect 6th (Ed.). Cantwell, (1997), “Definition and Measurement of Neglect”. (p.68). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Crosson-Tower, C (2005). Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect (6th Ed.). Weinbrtg, (1955) “Legal and Social Prohibition”. (p.10). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc. Simons, J Irwin D. and Drinnien, B. (1987). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs from Psychology The Search for understanding (p. 1). New York: West Publishing Company Duane P. Schultz and Sydney E. Schultz, (2005). Theories of Personality (8th Ed.) “The Study of Personality: Assessment, Research, and Theory (pp.34-35). Belmont, CA: Thompson Wadsworth Boeree, George C. (1998). Personality Theories Abraham Maslow Biography [Abstract] Personality Theories, 1. Retrieved January 17, 2006, from htt://www.ship.edu./maslow.html