Motivation and Emotion

In this chapter, we will explore: The Humanistic Theory of Motivation

Abraham Maslow suggested that motives are divided into several levels from basic survival needs to psychological and self-fulfillment needs.

We begin with the basic needs to the psychological and the final self-fulfillment needs

We need all the levels: However, when we live our lives from a self-actualized place, then we experience the “lower” levels with deeper appreciation and live those areas out more consciously. Happiness is a temporary state, which Maslow coined “peak experience.” Fulfillment is longer lasting and less transient than happiness. Fulfillment often includes being of service to others, which Maslow discovered as a key ingredient to self-actualized people.

Here are some qualities of self-actualized people that Maslow discovered through his research

While self-actualization sounds wonderful, Maslow states: “There are two sets of forces pulling at the individual, not just one. In addition to the pressures forward toward health, there are also fearful-regressive pressures backward, toward sickness and weakness.”

Now we need to examine potential Obstacles to Growth Take a moment to reflect on what might be preventing or blocking your growth and self-actualization?

Some obstacles might include: Time Money Other people Self Resources Health Among many other limitations

Maslow outlines five Obstacles to Growth (we will address four in this class) that he believes are the most prominent:

The first one is: Negative influences from past experiences (which result in unproductive habits).

In what ways can negative influences from past experience pose a problem? Destructive environments or rigid education cause us to see the world and develop habits based on lack and deficiency. Additionally, any deep seated habit (ie. addiction) interferes with our psychological growth because it diminishes our flexibility and openness necessary to operate most effectively in a variety of situations. (Remember, Maslow prizes spontaneity and flexibility as self-actualized traits).

In what ways might negative influences from your past stifle your openness, flexibility, and cause you to see an area based on lack in your life now?

The second obstacle Maslow outlines is: Social influence and group pressure.

How can social influence and group pressure stifle self-actualization? It often operates against our own judgment. It substitutes independent judgment with societal standards for own taste and judgment. Lastly, it reduces autonomy (remember this is also one of Maslow’s self-actualized traits).

This obstacle shows us the power of culture Whether the culture is familial, societal, or organizational, we all deal with navigating what aspects of the culture serves us in a healthy way and expressing our individuality.

For many people, Going against one’s culture can bring up uncomfortable feelings such as fear of appearing “better than” others, fear of being ridiculed or ostracized, and fear of being alone, that one silences her or his inner voice or calling in order to be part of the group. The degree to which one asserts one’s autonomy can depend on the individual’s national culture, personality, and where one is in one’s life, among other factors.

How does this affect the quality of your life? In what ways do social influence and group pressure affect your level of autonomy? How does this affect the quality of your life? What might be personal work for you to get in touch with your inner voice and begin to express it? What are ways that you already assert your level of autonomy despite cultural and societal norms? How has this affected the quality of your life? What were the reactions from others? And, did you do it anyway? Why or why not?

Dr. Deepak Chopra has a saying that it is healthy: “To be independent of the good and bad opinion of others.” This way, our ego is not attached to what people think about us. It doesn’t mean that we behave without consequence, but that our motivation comes from within – our desire to treat people with love, respect and dignity – because we want to and not because we will be praised or ridiculed; again qualities aligned with Maslow’s concept of self-actualization.

The third obstacle is our Inner Defenses Our inner defenses are our internal mechanisms that keep us out of touch with our self. We also use inner defenses to protect ourselves from pain and vulnerability. As a result, we are cut off from vital parts of ourselves and are not operating from as whole of a place as possible.

In other words, When you experience traumas, namely in childhood, and don’t resolve them, we leave parts of our vital energy with those situations.

For example, You are born with $100 and give each unresolved situation a varying amount, depending on how unsettling it was, only to realize that when you arrive to adulthood, you are left with, let’s say $5 or even have a deficit of money, which is symbolic for your energy.

Why is it so important to become aware of your inner defenses? The more whole and integrated a person is (such as loving and accepting of one’s self), the more fluid and efficient life is. You also have more energy and are more present to manifest what you really want instead of living in reaction to the past or how others want you to live!

Many people might believe that another primary obstacle is the fear of failure…

However, Maslow believes it is actually our: Fear of Greatness!!

According to Maslow, this maybe the largest obstacle to growth Why would we fear being Great? It is easier to avoid responsibility because we are afraid of using our capacities to their fullest potential. We prefer the security of undemanding goals over ambitious ones that require us to extend ourselves fully (ie. just getting by; merely surviving vs. really thriving and living). We also might expect struggle and tragedy and tell ourselves this is “Too good to be true,” as a result we begin to self-sabotage. When things don’t go well, we say destructive things to ourselves, such as “You see.” Being great often goes against the identity we know, we are afraid to loose our current identity (of self and of those we are familiar with, ie. family), so we stick with the mundane and what we know.

In what ways do you Fear your own Greatness? Have you ever self-sabotaged something potentially great? Have you ever played victim to life circumstances?

Here is a poem entitled: “Our Deepest Fear” by Marianne Williamson that relates to our Fear of Greatness: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.”