Maslow: Holistic-Dynamic Theory

Abraham Harold Maslow

Who is the psychologist known for developing the Hierarchy of Needs?

Self-Actualization

What is the highest level in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

B-love (Being-love)

What is the term for unconditional, non-possessive love that self-actualizers experience?

D-love (Deficiency-love)

What do we call the type of love motivated by need or deficiency?

Holistic-Dynamic Theory

What is the name of Maslow’s theory that emphasizes fulfilling one’s potential?

1. Physiological Needs

2. Safety Needs

3. Love and Belongingness Needs

4. Esteem Needs

5. Self-Actualization

Enumerate the five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in order.

1. More Efficient Perception of Reality

2. Acceptance of Self, Others, and Nature

3. Spontaneity, Simplicity, and Naturalness

4. Problem-Centering

5. The Need for Privacy

6. Autonomy

7. Continued Freshness of Appreciation

8. Peak Experiences

9. Gemeinschaftsgefühl (Community Feeling)

10. Profound Interpersonal Relations

11. The Democratic Character Structure

12. Discrimination Between Means and Ends

13. Philosophical Sense of Humor

14. Creativeness

15. Resistance to Enculturation

Enumerate the characteristics of self-actualizing people.

1. Expressive Behavior

2. Coping Behavior

3. Unmotivated Behavior

What are the three types of behaviors Maslow described in relation to needs?

Resacralization

The ________ is the process of bringing back awe, wonder, and sacredness into scientific inquiry.

Self-Actualization Theory

Maslow’s Holistic-Dynamic Theory is also called the ________.

Max Wertheimer, Ruth Benedict

Maslow studied individuals like ________ and ________ to understand self-actualization.

Jonah

The ________ complex refers to the fear of success or of realizing one’s potential.

Aesthetic Needs

Desire for beauty and order

Gemeinschaftsgefühl

A sense of community and connection with humanity

Peak Experiences

Moments of intense joy, transcendence, and unity

More Efficient Perception of Reality

An accurate and realistic perception of the world around them

Spontaneity, Simplicity, and Naturalness

People are genuine, unpretentious, and act naturally

The Need for Privacy

Self-actualizers enjoy solitude and privacy

Profound Interpersonal Relations

Form deep, meaningful relationships with a small circle of people

Autonomy

Are independent and self-sufficient, relying on their own judgment rather than seeking approval or validation from others

The Democratic Character Structure

Respect others regardless of their social status, race, or background

Philosophical Sense of Humor

A sense of humor that is philosophical and non-hostile often focuses on the absurdities of life rather than ridiculing others

Discrimination Between Means and Ends

Can differentiate between means and ends

Creativeness

Creative in all areas of life, not necessarily in artistic pursuits but in their thinking and problem-solving

Problem-Centering

Focused on solving real-world problems that go beyond personal concerns

Resistance to Enculturation

Resist cultural pressures and norms that conflict with their personal values

Continued Freshness of Appreciation

Retain an ability to appreciate the simple things in life with a sense of awe and wonder, even when experienced repeatedly

Acceptance of Self, Others, and Nature

Accept themselves, others, and the world as they are, without needing to change or manipulate them

Resacralization

Restoring sacredness and human emotion to science.

Desacralization

Removal of sacredness and human emotion from science

Taoistic Attitude

A non-interfering approach in science that accepts things as they are

Metaneeds

Maslow termed Being values “_____” to indicate that they are the ultimate level of needs

Metamotivation

He distinguished between ordinary need motivation and the motives of self-actualizing people, which he called ______.

Lower Needs

______ (physiological and safety) are more pressing, and their deprivation leads to more immediate negative consequences

• Free from psychopathology

• Progressed through lower needs

• Embrace B-values

• Full use of talents

Criteria for Self-Actualization:

Aesthetic Needs

• Not universal but least people are motivated by this need

• Desire for beauty and order

Cognitive Needs

• When blocked all needs on Maslow’s hierarchy are threatened

• Need for knowledge, understanding, and curiosity

Neurotic Needs

Unhealthy compensatory needs, like excessive desire for control or power

Physiological Needs

Basic survival needs: food, water, air, shelter…

Safety Needs

Security, stability, and protection

Love and Belongingness Needs

Desire for relationships, friendships, and family

Esteem Needs

• Reputation: Respect and recognition from others

• Self-esteem: Feelings of competence and accomplishment

Self-Actualization

Realizing full potential and creativity

Reversed Order of Needs

Needs usually follow a hierarchical order but can sometimes be reversed based on life circumstances.

Unmotivated Behavior

Not all behavior is motivated by specific needs. Some behaviors, like reflex actions or physiological processes (e.g., sneezing or blinking), are not related to motivation.

Expressive Behavior

This refers to actions that are spontaneous and often unconsciously motivated.

Coping Behavior

This involves goal-directed actions to meet needs and reduce tension.

• Desacralization

• Resacralization

• Humanistic Science

• Taoistic Attitude

Key components of Maslow’s philosophy of science:

• Truth

• Beauty

• Justice

• Simplicity

• Aliveness

• Playfulness

• Goodness

B-values (Being-values):

Instinctoid

What term describes the innate nature of human needs according to Maslow?

Personal Orientation Inventory (POI)

What is the name of the tool developed to measure self-actualization traits and values?

Taoistic Attitude

What is the term for Maslow’s belief in observing and appreciating phenomena without manipulation?

Love and Belongingness Needs

A person is refusing to join a group project because they feel insecure about their contributions and fear rejection. Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy are they likely struggling with?

Cognitive Needs

A scientist is deeply curious about solving a complex problem in quantum physics, even though their basic and esteem needs are already met. Which type of need are they fulfilling?

A self-actualizer witnesses a beautiful sunset and feels a profound sense of connection to the universe. What characteristic are they demonstrating?

Peak Experiences

An artist continues to paint despite financial struggles, prioritizing their creative expression over safety. Which concept in Maslow’s hierarchy explains this behavior?

The Jonah Complex

A therapist helps a patient understand their fear of success and how it is holding them back from achieving their potential. What Maslowian concept does this align with?

Esteem Needs

John is focused on achieving a promotion at work to gain recognition and respect from his colleagues. Which level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is he trying to fulfill?

Continued Freshness of Appreciation

Emma finds joy and awe in small things, like watching a sunset, even though she has seen it many times before. What characteristic of self-actualization is she displaying?

The Need for Privacy

Michael prefers spending time alone reflecting on his goals and values rather than participating in constant social activities. What characteristic of self-actualizing people is he exhibiting?

D-love (Deficiency-love)

A person clings to their partner out of fear of loneliness rather than genuine appreciation for who their partner is. What type of love are they experiencing?