Self-Actualization Myths: What Did Maslow Really Say?
- 21 March 2018
- research article
- Published by SAGE Publications in Journal of Humanistic Psychology
Abstract
Maslow’s theory of self-actualization is one of the most well-known theories both in psychology and to the public. It is also frequently misunderstood or misinterpreted. This article presents myths about self-actualization theory and myths about Maslow’s thoughts on science. Maslow’s own writings are used to refute the myths. The myths cover topics such as the following: empirical support for the theory, the composition of and movement through the needs hierarchy, the “self” in self-actualization, hidden elitism in the theory, and happiness in self-actualizing people. The relevance of Maslow’s self-actualization theory for contemporary psychology is also discussed.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Positive Psychology, Ethnocentrism, and the Disguised Ideology of IndividualismTheory & Psychology, 2008
- The neglected 95%: Why American psychology needs to become less American.American Psychologist, 2008
- Virtue and psychology: Pursuing excellence in ordinary practices.Published by American Psychological Association (APA) ,2005
- The 100 Most Eminent Psychologists of the 20th CenturyReview of General Psychology, 2002
- Toward a Tripartite Factor Structure of Mental Health: Subjective Well-Being, Personal Growth, and ReligiosityThe Journal of Psychology, 2001
- Measures of Mental Health and a Five Factor Theory of PersonalityPsychological Reports, 1998
- Testing Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: National Quality-of-Life Across TimeSocial Indicators Research, 1997
- Factor structure of mental health measures.Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 1996
- Science and morality: The role of values in science and the scientific study of moral phenomena.Psychological Bulletin, 1990
- Validation of a Short Index of Self-ActualizationPersonality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 1986