Maslow

Abraham Maslow (April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970) was an American psychologist best known for developing the theory of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and for helping establish humanistic psychology as a major approach in the discipline. He is often regarded as one of the founders of humanistic psychology, which emphasizes human potential, growth, and self-actualization.

Maslow proposed that human motivations are organized in a hierarchical order. The commonly cited model presents five levels: physiological needs (such as food and water), safety needs (security and protection), love and belonging (social relationships and community), esteem (self-respect and recognition), and self-actualization (the realization of personal potential). The lower levels must be satisfied before higher ones become important for motivation. In later discussions, Maslow and other scholars expanded the framework to include higher-stage needs such as cognitive, aesthetic, and transcendence needs, and he described peak experiences that reflect moments of profound harmony and insight.

His influential works include Motiv motivation and Personality (1954) and Toward a Psychology of Being (1962), which emphasize growth, self-awareness, and the fulfillment of human potential rather than solely pathology. Maslow’s ideas have influenced education, management, and positive psychology by focusing on well-being, motivation, and personal development. They have also faced critique for limited empirical support and cultural variability in how needs are perceived. Maslow’s legacy lies in shaping a more human-centered view of motivation and personal growth.