Maslow's and Murray's theories

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The organismic theory in psychology is based on the idea that the individual is composed of elements making up a system, and that one element cannot be separated from its system in order to study it. Two of the organismic theorists have developed theories to understand humans’ psychological developments through their needs: Abraham Maslow, with his hierarchy of needs theory; and Henry Murray, and his psychogenic needs theory. They both focused on developing their theories to understand human personality and its development. However dissimilarities are found between the two theories, they both share the concept of having steps of developments that should lead to the human goal, or potential.
The Hierarchy of needs theory, by Maslow, shows the basic and the advanced needs that the person should fulfill to reach his or her highest potential. That is why the theory is best depicted as a pyramid including seven stages. The first stage is physiological needs: water, body temperature, sleep, and sex. When one satisfies those needs, he or she can go to the next stage. Safety needs is the second stage. Here, the person is concerned about his safety and stability, so he tries to find a good job to support himself financially, and also find a good home in a safe place. The third stage is belongingness and love. To love and be loved and accepted becomes very important in this stage, so the person starts to worry about his relationships. Being accepted and loved will lead successfully to the fourth stage, which is esteem needs. In this level, the person is more concerned about achieving and gaining approval. Ones those needs are fulfilled, the cognitive needs come to be a priority. This fifth level is attained by seeking knowledge and explor...

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...ray can also be applied to Maslow’s fourth and fifth levels’ needs. The needs of levels 6-8 cam be called proactive needs if we are to use Murray’s definition.
While the Maslow’s and Murray’s theories differ in some points, they share the same basics. Maslow believed that while the individual is striving for achieving his own potential, he has those needs that he finds himself trying to fulfill in order to improve. Murray stressed the importance if these stresses, or motives from the environment that direct us sometimes to behave in certain ways combined by our emotions and needs.

Works Cited

Hall, Calvin S., and Gardner Lindzey. Theories of Personality. New York: Wiley, 1970. Print.
"Henry Murray and Psychogenic Needs in Personality Synopsis." ALLPSYCHOnline. Heffner Media Group, Inc. Web. 22 Mar. 2014. .

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