Maslow, the psychologist!

Halfway through college... well, actually.. its nearly the END of college. That was FAST!I've learned quite a lot, i must say especially with my favourite subject! Psychology! Thinking of being a psychologist? I don't know yet...BUT anywho, before I go on to procrastinating (which I really need to stop doing)... ON psychology:

Little note : I've decided that I'd use my blog for a GOOD cause for myself for the time being at least til my finals are over[which is in only 4 weeks time..whoohoo!]. Who knows, my blog would also be of good use to someone out there [educational purpose, perhaps] =D

First off, I realised that according to Maslow's theory of hierarchy of needs, I still need to achieve self- actualisation. What's that? Basically, there's 8 stages, of which is divided into 2 areas of needs: deficiency needs and growth needs. The image shown below is roughly how the hierarchy should look like.



Maslow had a previous initial concetualisation which only include one growth. As can be seen, Maslow states that every human being should aim for 'peak experiences' where we feel at one with the universe and to go beyond limitations of ourselves. Hence, under the deficiency needs, it consists of psychological needs, safety needs, belonging and love, and self-esteem.

PSYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS : hunger, thirst and generally maintaining our well-being is the most important in order to live

SAFETY AND SECURITY : needs such as putting roof over our heads and keeping ourselves from harm and danger.
BELONGING AND LOVE : the feeling of being accepted by others and to develop close relationships.
ESTEEM : To have respect from others which involves being competent, gaining approval and recognition.

At higher level, upon fulfilling the deficiency needs, one would need to achieve and strive towards the growth needs which consists of understanding, aesthetic, self-actualisation and transcendence.

UNDERSTANDING : the need to know and understand

AESTHETIC : the need for aesthetic beauty

SELF-ACTUALISATION : Realising one's own potential, embrace the realities of the world (including themselves) rather than avoiding them. This also includes being creative, interested in solving problems, judge others without prejudiceand generally appreciate life.

TRANSCENDENCE : After achieving self-actualisation, a person can then try to achieve transcendence which is to help others to achieve their full potential.

interesting, no? That Maslow came up with such hierarchy which is somehow of 'general' thinking but somewhat, unique and of his own prespective whereby his theory is based on his statement that every human nature is good as every person's goal is to self-actualise and transcendence. Thus, this also shows the limitation of the theory. Maslow's theory is too focused only on a healthy personality resulting in assumption that everyone is good and does not take into consideration of any bad behaviour. In relation to that, the theory seems to be stagnant and stable over time and situation which also means that everyone's personality does not develop or even change through the years? . . . . something to think about.

That's all for Maslow's theory! :)

*All information has been revised and summarized through SAM psychology textbook and lecture notes based on HUMANISTIC conception of personality.

TATA~