Abraham Maslow, from the hierarchy of needs to self-fulfilment: A journey in humanistic psychology through the hierarchy of needs, motivation and achieving full human potential

By Stefano Calicchio

Who was Abraham Maslow and why are his theories still so interesting? How can his view of the hierarchy of needs transform our approach to life and personal growth? What does it really mean to embark on the journey towards self-fulfilment?

This guide explores from a theoretical and practical perspective the life and work of one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century, Abraham Maslow. Known primarily for his revolutionary hierarchy of needs, Maslow broke new ground in the understanding of human behaviour, shifting the focus from simple survival and basic needs to the concept of self-fulfilment and transcendence.

The book is not only an analysis of Maslow's theories, but also a practical guide to applying them in everyday life. You will discover how the needs for security, love, esteem and self-fulfilment influence every aspect of your being and how, once recognised and met, they can lead to a more complete and fulfilled life.

Through concrete examples, practical exercises and psychological insights, the book will take you on a journey of inner discovery. You will learn how to identify and cultivate your intrinsic needs, find balance and harmony in your life, and reach new heights of personal growth. Begin your journey towards realising your full potential, inspired by the timeless insights of one of the greatest thinkers in modern psychology.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stefano Calicchio
• Release date: Dec 14, 2023
• ISBN: 9791222486130

Book preview

Introduction

Who was Abraham Maslow? What was his role within psychology? How has humanistic psychology changed the lives of people all over the world?

In the vast and intricate landscape of psychology, few thinkers have left such an indelible imprint as Abraham Maslow. Born in 1908 in a tumultuous, multicultural Brooklyn, Maslow grew up in an environment that profoundly shaped his thinking and his vision of humanity.

This book aims to explore the life, discoveries and theories of the well-known psychologist in a simple, but not simplistic way. We will delve into their relevance and applicability in modern psychology, work, therapy and everyday life.

Before the advent of Maslow, psychology was largely dominated by behaviourism and psychoanalysis. These approaches, while having their merits, offered a restrictive and incomplete view of the human being. In fact, behaviourism reduced human experience to responses to external stimuli, while psychoanalysis focused on the darker, deeper and more irrational aspects of the unconscious.

Maslow, on the other hand, was deeply convinced that human beings were driven by an innate thirst for growth, fulfilment and the search for meaning. A perspective that led to the birth of humanistic psychology.

At the heart of Maslow's theories is his famous 'hierarchy of needs', a pyramid illustrating how basic human needs - from the physiological and most basic to the highest and most self-fulfilling - overlap and interact with each other. This model revolutionised the way we think about our needs and motivations, but it also provided a framework for better understanding each individual's path to personal well-being and satisfaction.

Maslow did not just theorise about the quest for fulfilment and human needs. He also explored concepts such as 'peak experiences' and 'transcendence', expanding the field of psychology far beyond the confines of the laboratory and the clinic to embrace the higher, more spiritual aspects of human experience.

This book aims to guide the reader through a journey in Maslow's life and work, offering an in-depth analysis of his theories and their practical applications.

We will examine how Maslow's ideas can be used in therapy, human resource management and personal growth. We will also discuss how his ideas intersect with modern neuroscience and contemporary psychology, showing their relevance and vitality even in the 21st century.

In the following pages, we will also address criticisms of Maslow and how his thinking has been expanded and modified by other scholars. Finally, we will reflect on Maslow's lasting legacy and impact on psychology, a field that continues to evolve and grow, in part due to his pioneering contributions.

Inside the book you will also find numerous practical exercises, designed to concretely integrate into your life the theories of humanistic psychology that have proven most effective over the years. To derive the maximum possible benefit from this guide, it is essential to do the exercises before continuing with the reading. Do not miss this opportunity through which you will gain an