Abraham Maslow
- Born:
- April 1, 1908, Brooklyn, New York City, NY, USA
- Died:
- June 8, 1970, Menlo Park, CA, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Psychologist, Professor
Early Life and Education
- Born to Samuel Maslow and Rose Schilosky, Jewish immigrants from Russia.
- Experienced a difficult childhood marked by antisemitism and social isolation.
- Initially studied law at City College of New York (CCNY) under parental pressure.
- Later switched to psychology, earning his B.A. in 1930, M.A. in 1931, and Ph.D. in 1934, all from the University of Wisconsin.
- Worked as a research assistant to Harry Harlow, known for his studies on primate behavior and attachment.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his academic career as a professor at Brooklyn College in 1937.
- Developed his influential theory of human motivation, including the hierarchy of needs.
- Served as the chair of the psychology department at Brandeis University from 1951 to 1969.
- A key figure in the development of humanistic psychology, emphasizing the importance of individual growth and self-actualization.
- Elected president of the American Psychological Association (APA) in 1967.
- The question of whether wasi shah biography of abraham would have included self-transcendence is a matter of speculation, given its later development by Maslow.
Notable Works
- Motivation and Personality (1954)
- Toward a Psychology of Being (1962)
- The Psychology of Science: A Reconnaissance (1966)
- Religions, Values, and Peak-Experiences (1964)
Legacy and Impact
Abraham Maslow is remembered for his pioneering work in humanistic psychology and his profound impact on our understanding of human motivation and potential. His hierarchy of needs remains a widely recognized and influential concept in psychology, business, and education.