Abraham Maslow. "Motivation and personality": summary, reviews

Abraham Maslow is an American psychologist who developed the most universal model of motives and human needs. Despite the fact that in a detailed version of his views are studied at the faculty of psychology, it is now difficult to find someone who has not heard about the famous "pyramid of needs."

The main book of the scientist

From the work of Maslow "Motivation and Personality", however, not only students and coryphaeuses of psychology will gather information. She is interested in teachers, businessmen, sociologists. In general, this work will attract anyone who asks the question about what lies at the basis of the motivational and needful sphere of man.

This edition was published more than half a century ago. But despite the numerous concepts of motivation, it still remains relevant. Personal interest, questions that do not give rest, are the reasons why American scholar of Russian origin Abraham Maslow took up writing this work. Motivation and personality are the two main concepts studied by him. They are also displayed in the title of his book.

Childhood and youth Maslow

It must be said that Abraham Maslow's childhood was by no means cloudless. His parents emigrated to the United States before he was born. The family was always in a conflict situation. In addition, the boy inherited the Jewish appearance from his father, so he had to experience first hand what anti-Semitism is. Despite the fact that the academic success of Maslow was very high, his youth passed in solitude and oppression.

Acquaintance with psychological knowledge

In the future, Maslow, on the recommendation of his father, decides to devote himself to the study of jurisprudence. But, having got acquainted with psychology, leaves already from the first course. He received his education at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, and then began working as a teacher in college. He also worked as an assistant to the famous scientist-behaviorist Edward Thorndike. He received the title of president of the American Psychological Association in 1967. Maslow was very encouraged by the work of John Watson.

Basic concept

In the book Maslow "Motivation and personality" the structure of needs, their basic properties, influence on the motivational sphere of a person are examined. The Maslow Pyramid consists of blocks, each of which reflects a certain need - from basic to higher. This model is very easy to explain by example. Fundamental human needs are such physiological needs as hunger and thirst. Experiencing them, hardly anyone will think, for example, about the philosophy of postmodernism. Therefore, in the first place, the vital needs of the body must be met.

Then follows the need for security - both physical and emotional. It is important to have a roof over your head, to live without threat to existence.

When these needs are replenished, the person begins to seek the satisfaction of the needs of a higher class - social recognition, sympathy. Behind the need for friendship follows the need for self-respect, that is, a person now desires autonomy and leadership.

The peak of the Maslow pyramid is the need for self-actualization. When all other needs are satisfied, a person can begin to freely realize the potential inherent in it by nature.

So, at each moment of time uncontrolled needs control behavior. And most often they are never satisfied until the end. That is why people who have reached a level of self-actualization in their lives, about 2%, as they say in the book Maslow "Motivation and Personality."

What is the difference between Maslow's theory?

Practicality and realism are the main qualities that the theory of personality and motivation possesses. A. Maslow, initially fascinated by the ideas of behaviorism, then comes to the conclusion: these concepts are well reproduced in the laboratory, but have little in common with the real life style of man, his philosophy.

The main problem of psychology

In general, it should be noted: the gap between theory and practice is the main problem of psychological science. Unfortunately, those people who turn to psychologists for help, no one opens the curtain. And no one can answer them on the question of whether or not this or that specialist will be able to help.

Separation of psychology from reality: an example

One of the main qualities of a good psychologist, as well as a serious psychological theory, is realizability in practice to help people. This directly relates to the Maslow theory. This example is well illustrated by the responses of people who seek help from various categories of psychotherapists on the treatment of addictions: alcoholism, gambling, smoking. Many psychotherapists use the substitution technique to get rid of such difficulties, according to which only one can substitute one dependence - in this case, more productive. Passing one or two steps of the Maslow pyramid, they recommend their patients to replace dependence, starting to engage in self-realization. Unsatisfied needs of the lower level, for some reason, still make themselves felt: the former alcoholic or Kazanova very little turns out to "replace" its dependence with other activities, say, beadwork. And how can an addict understand what kind of thing will occupy a place at the top of his needs, until his needs for love, respect, sympathy, friendship, warm emotional ties with people are satisfied?

People are disappointed in psychotherapy, giving a lot of money for it. Another would be a picture if all psychologists used Maslow's work "Motivation and Personality" in the work. Reviews, it is necessary to believe, would become much better both about psychologists, and about the possibilities of psychotherapy in general.

Maslow's book "Motivation and Personality": a brief summary

The first part of the book is devoted to the study of the essence of needs, to how their satisfaction affects the development of a person, the development of his character, and also the concept of instincts is re-examined. Maslow says that this construct is applicable to a person to a small extent. Despite the fact that instincts are the basis for all his actions, behavior is also largely influenced by genes and environment.

In the next part, the concept of mental health, the role of frustration in meeting needs, the question of the acceptability of aggressive behavior is examined. Maslow says that a positive attitude almost neutralizes aggression: therefore, it is always necessary to take into account environmental conditions, considering any type of behavior, including destructive ones.

Next, Maslow examines the self-actualizing people, the features of their nature. In addition, the third part focuses on the issues of love, as well as creativity and its manifestations.

The last part of the book Maslow "Motivation and Personality" examines the role of creativity in science, the issues of methodology, the value of a holistic approach.

Maslow calls to consider a person not only in the context of comparing a mentally healthy person with a neurotic. Anyone who is interested in questions of self-actualization can safely recommend the fundamental work that Abraham Maslow created - "Motivation and Personality." The reviews of many readers have been shown by more than one generation: this work will help to reach the best heights and understand yourself to each person.