实用英语口语(高级) 32.Achieving self-actualization[1]

PROFESSOR:In the 1940's, a psychologist named Abraham Maslow challenged old ideas of psychology with a revolutionary claim. He claimed that all humans are inherently good. Sure, it doesn't seem like that crazy of an idea, but it was for his time. Instead of focusing on the negative aspects of human psychology, such as Freud did, Maslow focused more on the positive. He focused on the potential of each person.

PROFESSOR:He claimed that humans are motivated to reach their fullest potential. In fact, he believed that the ultimate goal of living is to grow as a person and to become the best person one can be. He called this 'self- actualization'. 自我实现就是发挥自己最大的潜能，过自己想要的生活，过有意义的生活。 Maslow believed that humans can grow to become the best they can be as long as their personal needs were met and they were given opportunities and support along the way.

PROFESSOR:In his writings, he described a hierarchy of needs that every human experiences as they are working towards reaching their highest potential. This 'Hierarchy of Needs' provides a theory of human motivation and is Maslow's best known contribution to psychology. It's represented as a pyramid, and each level of the pyramid represents the different needs of humans as they develop. At the top, is self actualization, the fullest potential, which a human will reach only if the other needs below are met first. Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs' is based on five levels: Physiological needs - Every human has the most basic needs of oxygen, food, water, and sleep.

PROFESSOR:They're the strongest needs, and according to this theory, if these needs are not met, then higher needs will not be recognized. Safety needs - Once physiological needs are met, a person feels the need for safety and security. Such needs might be fulfilled by living in a safe area, being a citizen of a country with a stable government, having medical insurance, obtaining job security, and having a savings account and financial stability. Needs of英语口语