ABRAHAM MASLOW - HUMANISTIC APPROACH

Flashcards based on a lecture about Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

What are the key emphases of the humanistic approach?

Emphasis on human strengths and aspirations, conscious free will, and fulfillment of potential.

How does the humanistic approach describe people?

Active, creative beings concerned with growth and self-actualization.

When and where was Maslow born?

1908 in Brooklyn, New York.

Describe Maslow's childhood.

Isolated and unhappy, without close friends or loving parents.

What became Maslow's playground during his childhood and adolescence?

The library.

Who did Maslow marry?

Bertha.

At which universities did Maslow study?

Cornell University and University of Wisconsin.

In what year did Maslow receive his Ph.D.?

1934.

Where did Maslow complete a postdoctoral fellowship?

Columbia University under Thorndike.

Where did Maslow teach until 1951?

Brooklyn College.

What did Maslow resolve to do after witnessing the parade following the attack on Pearl Harbor?

To develop a psychology that would deal with the highest human ideals.

In what year did Maslow die?

1970.

What was the cause of Maslow's death?

A massive heart attack.

According to Maslow, what do psychologists ignore when they only study abnormal examples of humanity?

Positive human qualities such as happiness, contentment, and peace of mind.

Where did Maslow’s personality theory derive from?

Research on creative, independent, self-sufficient, fulfilled adults.

What did Maslow conclude each person is born with?

Instinctive needs that enable us to grow, develop, and fulfil our potentials.

What does 'instinctoid' refer to according to Maslow?

Innate needs in his needs-hierarchy theory.

What is a key component of instinctoid needs?

It has a hereditary component.

How are the behaviors used to satisfy instinctoid needs acquired?

They are learned and subject to variation.

How are the needs arranged in the Hierarchy of Needs?

From strongest at the bottom to the weakest at the top.

What must happen before higher needs become influential?

Lower needs must be at least partially satisfied before higher needs become influential.

What can affect or override the needs in Maslow's hierarchy?

Learning, social expectations, and fear of disapproval.

What are the characteristics of lower needs?

They are stronger, potent, and take priority.

When do physiological and safety needs arise?

Infancy.

When do belongingness and esteem needs arise?

Adolescence.

When does the need for self-actualization arise?

Midlife.

What happens when lower needs are not satisfied?

It produces a crisis.

What is another term for lower needs?

Deficiency needs.

What does the satisfaction of higher needs lead to?

Improved health, happiness, contentment, fulfillment, and longevity.

What is another term for higher needs?

Being needs.

What does the gratification of higher needs require?

Better external circumstances.

How are physiological needs different from other needs in the hierarchy?

They are completely satisfied or even overly satisfied.

What is a key characteristic of physiological needs?

Recurring nature.

According to Maslow, what are children often motivated by with regard to safety needs?

Darkness, animals, strangers, and punishments from parents.

How are belongingness and love needs met?

Satisfactory relationships and maintaining those relationships

According to Maslow, what is the fundamental cause of failure in love?

Emotional maladjustment.

What are the two forms of the need for esteem?

Esteem and respect from ourselves and from other people.

What does 'esteem and respect from ourselves' include?

Feelings of self-worth.

What does 'esteem and respect from other people' include?

Status, recognition, or social success.

How do we feel when we lack self-esteem?

Inferior, helpless, and discouraged.

What does self-actualization involve?

Maximum realization and fulfillment of our potentials, talents, and abilities.

According to Maslow, what must we not be distracted by in order to achieve self actualization?

Lower-order needs.

What kind of knowledge must we have in order to achieve self actualization?

Knowledge of our strengths and weaknesses, virtues and vices.

What does B-Motivation (Being) involve?

Maximizing personal potential rather than striving for a particular goal object.

What does D-Motivation (Deficiency) involve?

Striving for something specific to make up for something that is lacking.

What are the key characteristics of self-actualizing people?

Clear perception of reality, acceptance, spontaneity, dedication to a cause.

What is Metapathology?

A thwarting of self-development related to failure to satisfy the metaneeds.

What is Jonah Complex?

Doubting about our own abilities.

Regarding the Jonah Complex, what does the biblical tale of Jonah suggest?

We can achieve more in our life but we choose not to because we are afraid.

What are Maslow's views on human nature?

Free will vs. Determinism, Nature vs. Nurture, Past vs Present, Uniqueness vs Universality, Equilibrium vs Growth, Optimism vs Pessimism