Humanistic Theories

                                                           HUMANISTIC THEORIES


          Abraham Maslow (1971) was critical of traditional psychology because it based its theories on emotionally disturbed patients or on laboratory animals. Like other philosophers, he believed in the basic goodness of humans and in their tendency to move to higher levels of functioning as their basic physical needs are met. Maslow described the needs at each level, going from the most fundamental physiological needs to the highest, most noble needs. Every person has the same "hierarchy of needs:"

          1. Physiological needs--air, water, food, sleep, elimination, sex, activity.
          2. Safety needs--escape fear and pain, physical security, order, physical safety.
          3. Belonging and love needs--to love and be loved, have friends, be part of a family.
          4. Self-esteem needs--to feel competent, independent, successful, respected, and worthwhile.
          5. Self-actualization needs--being one's true self, achieving one's highest potential, wanting knowledge and wisdom, being able to understand and accept oneself and others, being creative and appreciative of beauty in the world. A self-actualized person is happy, realistic, accepting, problem-oriented, creative, democratic, independent, and fulfilling a mission or purpose in life.

          What are the implications of this theory for changing behavior? First, the theory says it is necessary to generally satisfy one's basic needs before one can turn to meeting needs higher in the hierarchy. But once a person has taken care of the needs at levels 1 and 2, then one is free, in fact motivated to search for love, then self-esteem, and then finally self-actualization. Thus, if you can't achieve some goal, such as John not being able to study, consider the possibility that some more basic need still hasn't been met and must be satisfied first. For example, John may have to find love or feel secure and liked by his friends before he can study effectively and devote himself to a profession. While thinking in terms of a hierarchy of needs may sometimes help you figure out the real underlying problem, research has not supported the theory that all needs at a more primary level must be satisfied before you can move on to higher needs. So, go for self actualization at 15 or 19, even if you lack confidence and a love relationship.

          Also, remember if you make different assumptions about the basic nature of humans, you will surely find different underlying problems. Maslow would find unmet love or self-esteem needs; Freud would find unmet sexual-aggression needs; Adler would find feelings of inferiority to be overcome.

          Maslow noted that learning theories (not the more recent Social Learning Theories or cognitive theories) were based largely on hunger, thirst, and pain (needs at levels 1 and 2) in animals, seldom dealing with the higher levels. Maslow's theories are based on the opposite end of the scale (needs at level 5). He studied the best historical specimens of our species he could find, including Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, Jane Addams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Albert Schweitzer, and he interviewed the most outstanding living people available to him at the time. That's where his description of the self-actualized person came from. His was a valuable addition to our knowledge.

          Secondly, according to theory, few of us ever achieve self actualization to any significant degree. Maslow assumed it took the most able among us 30 to 40 years to develop self-actualization. Although Maslow believed we became more self-reliant on our own values and judgment as we met more of our needs, and less dependent on rewards and approval of others, he still emphasized the importance of the environment in determining our growth. He felt families and schools and work should be respectful, nonjudgmental, and trusting, i.e. places where one can make his/her own decisions, gain esteem, and use his/her talents. Otherwise, our growth would be slowed or reversed...and we would have problems. Maslow had impact on Humanistic education and on business management. But, he left it to others to discover if it is possible to develop specific methods of speeding up the natural development of self-actualization, such as through self-help techniques. Maybe in 100 years we'll all be self actualizing even as teenagers.