Abraham Harold Maslow (1908–70) was an American personality theorist and one of the best-known psychologists of the twentieth century. He was the spearhead of the humanistic school of psychology, sometimes referred to as the “Third Force,” to differentiate it from the schools of behaviorism and Freudian psychoanalysis.
Maslow postulated a “hierarchy of needs” that he theorized leads to “self-actualization” to explain human motivation. His theories propose that people’s basic needs for safety, food and drink, and a sense of belonging and self-worth must be met before they will begin to address their higher-order needs, such as the desire to learn and to fulfill their potential for achievement.
In the 1960s, Maslow’s emphasis on self-expression and the human capacity to transcend limitations found devotees among business executives and the counterculture. Betty Friedan and other feminists drew on Maslow’s concept of self-actualization to explain the alienation of American women.
Maslow’s notable works on psychology and selfhood include Motivation and Personality (1954,) The Psychology of Science: A Reconnaissance (1966,) and Toward a Psychology of Being (1962.)
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The dichotomy between selfishness and unselfishness disappears altogether in healthy people because in principle every act is both selfish and unselfish.
—Abraham Maslow
If the only tool you have is a hammer, you tend to treat everything as if it were a nail.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Perception, Attitude, Perspective
I have learned the novice can often see things that the expert overlooks. All that is necessary is not to be afraid of making mistakes, or of appearing naive.
—Abraham Maslow
Dispassionate objectivity is itself a passion, for the real and for the truth.
—Abraham Maslow
You will either step forward into growth or you will step back into safety.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Courage, Growth
The fact is that people are good, if only their fundamental wishes are satisfied, their wish for affection and security. Give people affection and security, and they will give affection and be secure in their feelings and their behavior.
—Abraham Maslow
If the most socially identified people are themselves the most individualistic people, of what use is it to retain the polarity? If the most mature are also the most childlike? And if the most ethical and moral people are also the lustiest and most animal.
—Abraham Maslow
Innocence can be redefined and called stupidity. Honesty can be called gullibility. Candor becomes lack of common sense. Interest in your work can be called cowardice. Generosity can be called soft-headedness, and observe: the former is disturbing.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Innocence
Getting used to our blessings is one of the most important nonevil generators of human evil, tragedy and suffering.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Tragedy, Appreciation, Attitude
It seems that the necessary thing to do is not to fear mistakes, to plunge in, to do the best that one can, hoping to learn enough from blunders to correct them eventually.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Risk, Fear, Courage
There is, first, the desire for strength, for achievement, for adequacy, for confidence in the face of the world, and for independence and freedom. Secondly, we have what we may call the desire for reputation or prestige
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Achievement
Life could be vastly improved if we could count our blessings as self-actualizing people can and do, and if we could retain their constant sense of good fortune and gratitude for it.
—Abraham Maslow
I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: People, The Mind, Compassion, Ability, Kindness, Knowledge, Life, Success, Past and Present
When the only tool you own is a hammer, every problem begins to resemble a nail.
—Abraham Maslow
The sacred is in the ordinary, in one’s daily life, in one’s neighbors, friends, and family, in one’s backyard.
—Abraham Maslow
A first rate soup is better than a second rate painting.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Success
Duty cannot be contrasted with pleasure nor work with play when duty is pleasure, when work is play, and people doing their duty are simultaneously seeking pleasure and being happy.
—Abraham Maslow
What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: Awareness, Change
Self-actualizing people must be what they can be.
—Abraham Maslow
Topics: People
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