Maslow, Self-Actualizing, and Creation

2 Commentsby   |  12.02.13  |  Second Blog Post

Maslow felt that psychology had spent too much time focusing on the sick and psychologically disturbed and decided to start studying individuals he believed to be self-actualizing. A self actualizing individual was explained by Maslow as being outstanding humans. They are people who have a number of extremely desirable characteristics, however, this does not leave them without fault. Even people who are strong, give into the lesser of human characteristics. Maslow grouped people into the self-actualizing catagory if he felt they were above the average man.
I want to take this idea Maslow had of ideal characteristics and apply it to what I think God had in mind when he began creating humans. I know Maslow only thinks the above average individual can achieve self-actualization, but what if we are all capable of being above average? I want to focus on a couple of the characteristics Maslow thinks are particularly important.
I like the idea of being independent of environment and culture. I think it can go along with God calling us to be in the world but not of the world. I also like the idea of perceiving reality accurately and fully. God tells us that we can live life to the fullest because he sent his son for us. If we were to perceive that reality accurately and fully, our lives would be so much more meaningful just from that.
What if we look back at what God created us for and try to become self-actualizing Christians?

Comment

2 Comments

  1. Jacey Ferrara
    2:49 pm, 12.03.13

    Maddy, I like the position you took on this post. What has come to be very obvious over time is that there are different personalities and temperaments in this world, and God created it that way. Each personality and temperament has strengths and weaknesses and God made us different for a reason! If everyone was like me, things would never get done or it would be done very sloppily and last minute! I just really like how you connected the desirable characteristics Maslow discusses with God. And I do believe, regardless of whether or not Maslow considered you to be “above the average man,” there is always God-given and intended purpose for those who grab hold of Him and His truths.

  2. Mengyuan Tang
    8:44 pm, 12.04.13

    I like the way you related the ideal characteristics that Maslow believed to be a self actualizing man to God’s creation and teaching. God created man in his own image, so Adam and Eve were made perfect. When sin entered the world, everything changed including man. However the original plan God designed for us was great and his plan of salvation will save us and help us achieve self-actualization again.

Add a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.