Abraham Harold Maslow
Biography
Abraham Harold Maslow (1908-1970) was an American psychologist best known for creating Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, culminating in self-actualization. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was the eldest of seven children of Jewish immigrant parents from Russia. He initially studied law at City College of New York before transferring to Cornell and then the University of Wisconsin, where he earned his BA, MA, and PhD in psychology. Maslow was a professor at Brandeis University, Brooklyn College, and The New School for Social Research. He is considered one of the founders of humanistic psychology, which focuses on the positive potential of human beings. His work profoundly influenced not only psychology but also education, business management, and various self-improvement movements, emphasizing growth and potential rather than pathology.
Selected Thoughts
«What a man can be, he must be. This need we call self-actualization.»
«If you plan on being anything less than you are capable of being, you will probably be unhappy all the days of your life.»
«A musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be.»
Writing Style
Maslow's writing style is academic yet accessible, characterized by clear, direct language intended to explain complex psychological theories and philosophical concepts. He often used case studies and examples to illustrate his points, maintaining a positive and optimistic tone that emphasized human potential and growth. His works are typically structured to build arguments logically, making them understandable to both professional psychologists and a broader educated audience.