Humanistic Approach Humanists view behavior as a reflection of internal growth Abraham Maslow
Humanistic Approach 1. People are good (in their potentials) 2. People have needs 3. If needs are met then they grow to their potential (good) 4. If people act bad, needs are not met 5. Acting bad is an effort to falsely fill a missing need
Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs
Physiological needs Can you think of a time when you were gasping for air, really hungry or thirsty? What was your state of mind? Explain. Imagine living in a place where you were constantly without enough food, water, sleep what do you think the impact would be?
Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs Physiological needs: health, food, water, sleep
Safety Needs Can you think of a time when you did not feel safe? Describe. What was not stable or what caused fear and anxiety? Describe that time and what it was like for you. Imagine living in a war zone and periodically people you know are killed or neighbors houses are raided. What would that be like? How do you think your mental state would develop? How would you protect yourself emotionally?
Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs Safety needs: security, order, and stability Physiological needs: health, food, water, sleep
Belongingness and love Think of a time when you have felt like you belonged. How did that feel? Think of time when you felt like you were on the outside looking in. How did that feel? What would it be like to always be on the outside? What would it be like to receive unconditional love?
Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs Belonging: love and being part of a group Safety needs: security, order, and stability Physiological needs: health, food, water, sleep
Esteem Needs Describe a time when you felt really high self esteem. What did that feel like? Describe a time when you had low self esteem. What did that feel like? Describe a time someone recognized and valued something you did or something about you. How did that feel? What do you think it would be like to never be noticed by others or recognized for your achievements?
Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs Esteem: self esteem and esteem from others Belonging: love and being part of a group Safety needs: security, order, and stability Physiological needs: health, food, water, sleep
Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs Self-Actualization: achieving individual potential Esteem: self esteem and esteem from others Belonging: love and being part of a group Safety needs: security, order, and stability Physiological needs: health, food, water, sleep
Characteristics of Self-Actualizers Clear perception of reality unbiased by prejudgments Acceptance of self, others, and nature don t try to distort or falsify self-image Spontaneity, simplicity, and naturalness rarely hide feelings/emotions, or play role to make others happy Dedication to a cause pleasure and excitement in hard work Independence and need for privacy depend on themselves, not others, for satisfaction
Characteristics of Self-Actualizers Freshness of appreciation enjoy each recurrence as though it was the first Peak experiences moments of intense ecstasy that can occur with almost any activity Social interest sympathy and empathy for mankind Profound interpersonal relations deep, long lasting friendships Democratic character structure tolerant and accepting of personality and behavior of others
Characteristics of Self-Actualizers Creativeness highly creative and willing to make mistakes (and learn from them) Resistance to enculturation feel free to resist social and cultural pressures to think or behave a certain way Based on the above list... Can you name someone you believe fits that model? Who is it and why?
Self-Actualization Describe a time when you feel you have reached your highest potential. How did you feel? Describe someone you think has reached their highest potential. What does that look like? How common do you think it is for people to reach their highest potential? What obstacles might get in the way?
Let s look at some examples MLK Jr. I have a dream Michael Jordan Phil Jackson Dalai Lama To Review...
Cognitive Needs Another set of needs (outside hierarchy) Need to know and understand Characteristics of emotionally healthy adults Seek knowledge Attracted to mysterious; seek information about unknown Curiosity Maslow felt these were important for self-actualization How do people do this?
Basis of theory Criticism of Maslow Not research based; observational Definition of terminology Chose self-actualizers from those he admired Cultural bias Does hierarchy of needs fit all cultures? American culture vs. other cultures
Where do you see yourself within Maslow s Hierarchy of Needs? Why do you place yourself there? Remember: you aren t necessarily in one place all the time!
Hierarchy of technological innovation by Nicholas Carr