Describe Maslow's approach to personality.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Maslow believed that we can learn the most about human personality by focusing on the very best examples of human beings-self-actualizers. At the top of Maslow's hierarchy was the need for self-actualization. Self-actualization is the motivation to develop one's full potential as a human being. Maslow described self-actualizers as spontaneous, creative, and possessing a childlike capacity for awe. According to Maslow, a person at this optimal level of existence would be tolerant of others, have a gentle sense of humor, and be likely to pursue the greater good. Self-actualizers also maintain a capacity for "peak experiences," or breathtaking moments of spiritual insight. Maslow's list of self-actualizers is clearly biased. Maslow focused on highly successful individuals who he thought represented the best of the human species. Because Maslow concentrated on people who were successful in a particular historical context, his self-actualizers were limited to those who had opportunities for success in that context.