Humanistic Psychology as Liberal Ideology: the Socio-Historical Roots of Maslow's Theory of Self-Actualization

Abstract

Humanistic psychology can best be understood within its cultural context. It is within this context that I advance the claim that humanistic psychology in general, and Maslow's theory of self-actualization in particular, have their genesis in liberalism.My purpose in this article is to try and reveal both the nature and consequences of the link between humanistic psychology and the liberal tradition using Maslow's theory as a concrete case for analysis. This analysis is part of a larger goal to examine the social and historical basis of psychological theory and ideas (e.g.

A Reconceptualisation of the Self in Humanistic Psychology: Heidegger, Foucault and the Sociocultural Turn

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Personal Growth and Social Change Values Among Humanistically Oriented Students: An Exploratory Study

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