Abraham Maslow Conceptualization Essay

Maslow’s Self-Actualization Position Abraham Maslow’s pioneering approach to the study of personality primarily focused on the achievement of self-actualization. Although his definitions were sometimes vague, he provided an outline to how he believed this actualization could take place. This paper will further explore his position by exploring identity characteristics of the self-actualized, the basic and growth needs, and finally the important distinction between the B- and D-cognition states. Using his humanistic biology approach, Maslow began using the research technique of iteration to identify characteristics of those who he believed to be self-actualized. To him, self-actualization occurs when the positive development of one’s abilities

Some of the characteristics are described below. He believed those who were self-actualized had a more efficient perception of reality and were consequently more capable of distinguishing being truth and lies. These individuals were also less guided by social stereotypes and prejudices. Actualizers are also able to recognize their own shortcomings and deal with them stoically, rather than feel shame and guilt about them. They are able to sleep well and relax, likely because the have met and surpassed their basic physiological needs. Finally, actualizers tend to be more problem-centered and more concerned with undertaking tasks that benefited society. Maslow outlined four basic needs that need to be met before an individual can continue towards self-actualization. These needs are physiological drives, safety needs, belongingness and love needs and esteem needs (Ryckman, 2013). In order to satisfy these needs there must be freedom to speak and express oneself, freedom to investigate and seek out information, justice, fairness, honesty, freedom to defend oneself, and orderliness in group settings. The most powerful basic need is that of the physiological drives of hunger, thirst, sex, sleep, and others. If one of these needs is unmet, the

In the D-cognition state individuals experience more judgment, condemning behavior, and are more likely to experience approval and disapproval of themselves and others. In the transcended B-cognition stated, the individual experiences more nonjudgmental behavior, they are self-validating, and are nonstriving. Another difference is that when engaged in D-cognition only the individual’s basic, or deficiency, needs are being met. However, when in the B-cognition state, they are in their peak experience, where phenomena are witnessed in their simplest form. Despite their differences, it is important to remember that, according to Maslow, in order for an individual to achieve true self-actualization they must be experiencing both the B-cognition state and the D-cognition state (Ryckman,