interview with Abraham Maslow (Self-Actualization)

What is your theory of self-actualization?

the process whereby the healthy development of people’s abilities enables them to fulfill their own true natures?

What are the levels of your hierarchies of human needs?

• self-actualization

• esteem needs

• belongingness

• safety needs

• physiological needs

What are the 2 basic sets of needs rooted in our biology?

deficiency needs (basic needs) and growth needs (meta needs)

What are deficiency needs (basic needs)

includes physiological drives, safely needs, belongingness, and love needs and esteem needs

What are growth needs (meta needs)

the needs for self-actualization and cognitive understanding

What are physiological needs?

includes hunger, thirst, and sex

Why do few poor people have a quest for self-actualization?

Poor people often cannot fulfil their physiological needs. When hungry, you will think of nothing else.

What are safety needs?

need for security, protection, structure, law, order, limits, and freedom from fear, anxiety, and chaos. Both children and adults have safety needs but they could vary greatly.

What is the need for belongingness?

the need to belong somewhere and for love

What is belonginess?

need to feel wanted and accepted by others

What is love?

begins selfishly with seeking love from others, referred to as D-love (deficiency love). Once capable of loving others, B-love (being love).

What re the 2 sets of esteem needs?

Esteem based on respect for our own competence, independence and accomplishments, and esteem based on others’ evaluations (recognition, status, fame, dominance, appreciation)

What are meta needs?

self-actualization and cognitive understanding

What is self-actualization?

need to reach one’s fullest potential and highest level of functioning

What do you believe that those high in self-actualization are more capable of?

giving affection, intimately relating to others, mature love, and are less resentful to former lovers

What is the Jonah complex?

as a result of fear, there is a reluctance to make full use of one’s intellectual abilities and potential because achievement may bring on new responsibilities and duties we cannot handle and the fear fo the unknown

What do you believe is the main source that hinders movement towards self-actualization?

poor socialization practices among young people

What do you believe one’s environment must allow for?

those basic needs to be met as well as be supportive and guide behavior toward positive methods

What do you believe is true without basic freedoms such as freedom of speech?

satisfaction of the basic needs is virtually impossible

What is self-transcendence?

seeks to further a cause beyond the self and experience a communion with others and nature and goes beyond the boundaries of the self

What is transcending self-actualizing person

the most fully developed psychologically healthy person who can transcend their own selfish concerns and work to better humankind

What is Personal Orientation Inventory (POI)?

self-report questionnaire that reflects the values and behavior of major importance, determines extent of self-actualization

How did you conduct therapy with your clients?

I acted as a friend, provided them with respect, love, and feelings of belongningness, and was nonthreatening and supportive

What is wrong with the assessment procedures for self-actualizers?

they are ambiguous and impercise

How did you assess those you used in your research?

No one knows :D

How is it believed that you based your self-actualizing characteristics on?

my own value system