Maslow\'s Hierarchy and Barriers to Self-Actualization Maslow\'s

MASLOW'S HIERARCHY AND BARRIERS TO SELF-ACTUALIZATION

Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs

Abraham Maslow introduced his Hierarchy of Human Needs to explain the universal stages of development that all people go through (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2009). Stage I corresponds with the physiological needs of the individual, such as the normal biological processes that sustain life. Stage II corresponds with the need for physical security and safety, such as shelter and warmth. Stage III corresponds with the need for social relationships and close companionship, such as within the nuclear and extended family. Stage IV corresponds to the need for the approval or esteem of others in society beyond the family. Stage V corresponds to self-actualization and, unlike the other four stages, is not necessarily reached by all persons (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2009).

According to Maslow, the individual must successfully achieve each stage of development in order to progress to the next stage (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2009). In general, Maslow's Stage III is the most important in terms of individual psychological development because it is during this stage that foundational aspects of identity and self-esteem are established within the family of origin (Byng-Hall, 1995). Meanwhile, Stage IV typically represents the expression of the individual's identity formed in Stage III and the elusive Stage V represents the successful achievement of high self-esteem and a lifetime of fulfilling relationships and endeavors (Gerrig & Zimbardo, 2009).

The 10 Most Important Barriers Preventing Self-Actualization (100 words)

Perhaps the most important barriers would be those linked to Stage III such as: 1. explicit messages about the individual from parents and authority figures; 2. implicit messages about the individual and life from parents and authority figures; and 3. learned patterns of interpersonal relations. Stage IV issues potentially limiting the achievement of self-actualization would include: 4. failure to achieve respect from others; 5. failure to live up to implied societal expectations; 6. failure to achieve explicit personal goals; and 7. failure to achieve family expectations. Other important barriers to self-actualization include: 8. societal values that are not conducive to psychological autonomy and actualization; 9. practical circumstances and necessity; and 10. raw intellectual ability (Nemade, Reiss, & Dombeck, 2007; Putney & Putney, 1964).

Real-World Example Illustrating Barrier Preventing Self-Actualization (100 words)