UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA (UNISA)
College of Human Sciences
⋄
MIND MAP: MASLOW’S HUMANISTIC
THEORY OF PERSONALITY
PYC2611 — Personality Theories in Context
Assignment 1
⋄
Module Code: PYC2611
Module Name: Personality Theories in Context
Student Name: [Student Name]
Student Number: [Student Number]
Assignment No.: Assignment 1
Semester: [Semester and Year]
Unique Number: [Unique Number]
, UNISA | PYC2611 Maslow’s Humanistic Theory – Assignment 1
Mind Map: Maslow’s Humanistic Theory of Personality
The mind map below represents Maslow’s Humanistic Theory of Personality in its full struc-
ture. The central concept is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, with five primary branches corre-
sponding to each need level. Each branch carries key theoretical concepts and a local South
African contextual example. The theory holds that personality development and human mo-
tivation are driven by an ascending hierarchy of needs, and that the highest expression of
personality is reached at self-actualisation (Maslow, 1943; Rojas et al., 2023).
Rare; only after
lower needs are
sufficiently met
Realising full
Peak experiences;
potential;
growth motivation
becoming
not deficit
one’s best self
5. Self-Actualisation
SA example: gated SA example: ubuntu
communities address SA example: Mandela (“I am because
safety needs leading SA’s democracy we are”)
as self-actualiser
Security, order, Friendship, family,
stability, freedom intimacy, sense
from fear of connection
3. Love &
2. Safety Needs
Belonging Needs
Unmet: triggers Absence leads
anxiety and to loneliness
tension and isolation
HIGHER NEEDS
Maslow’s
Hierarchy
−→
of Needs
LOWER NEEDS
(Humanistic Theory)
Food, water, Self-respect,
shelter, sleep, achievement,
warmth recognition
1. Physiological
4. Esteem Needs
Needs
Most basic, Status, prestige,
prepotent needs self-confidence
(Maslow, 1943) (Maslow, 1954)
SA example: RDP SA example: matric
housing gives certificate as symbol
families shelter Core Principles of achievement
• Humanistic third force in psychology
• Humans innately strive toward growth
• Deficiency vs. growth motivation
• Hierarchy is prepotent, not rigid
• Free will and self-determination
(Maslow, 1943; Rojas et al., 2023)
Figure 1: Mind Map: Maslow’s Humanistic Theory of Personality (Maslow, 1943, 1954; Rojas
et al., 2023). Dashed lines indicate local South African contextual examples.
Physiological Needs Love & Belonging Needs
Safety Needs Esteem Needs
Self-Actualisation SA Contextual Examples (dashed)
Page 2 of 7
College of Human Sciences
⋄
MIND MAP: MASLOW’S HUMANISTIC
THEORY OF PERSONALITY
PYC2611 — Personality Theories in Context
Assignment 1
⋄
Module Code: PYC2611
Module Name: Personality Theories in Context
Student Name: [Student Name]
Student Number: [Student Number]
Assignment No.: Assignment 1
Semester: [Semester and Year]
Unique Number: [Unique Number]
, UNISA | PYC2611 Maslow’s Humanistic Theory – Assignment 1
Mind Map: Maslow’s Humanistic Theory of Personality
The mind map below represents Maslow’s Humanistic Theory of Personality in its full struc-
ture. The central concept is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, with five primary branches corre-
sponding to each need level. Each branch carries key theoretical concepts and a local South
African contextual example. The theory holds that personality development and human mo-
tivation are driven by an ascending hierarchy of needs, and that the highest expression of
personality is reached at self-actualisation (Maslow, 1943; Rojas et al., 2023).
Rare; only after
lower needs are
sufficiently met
Realising full
Peak experiences;
potential;
growth motivation
becoming
not deficit
one’s best self
5. Self-Actualisation
SA example: gated SA example: ubuntu
communities address SA example: Mandela (“I am because
safety needs leading SA’s democracy we are”)
as self-actualiser
Security, order, Friendship, family,
stability, freedom intimacy, sense
from fear of connection
3. Love &
2. Safety Needs
Belonging Needs
Unmet: triggers Absence leads
anxiety and to loneliness
tension and isolation
HIGHER NEEDS
Maslow’s
Hierarchy
−→
of Needs
LOWER NEEDS
(Humanistic Theory)
Food, water, Self-respect,
shelter, sleep, achievement,
warmth recognition
1. Physiological
4. Esteem Needs
Needs
Most basic, Status, prestige,
prepotent needs self-confidence
(Maslow, 1943) (Maslow, 1954)
SA example: RDP SA example: matric
housing gives certificate as symbol
families shelter Core Principles of achievement
• Humanistic third force in psychology
• Humans innately strive toward growth
• Deficiency vs. growth motivation
• Hierarchy is prepotent, not rigid
• Free will and self-determination
(Maslow, 1943; Rojas et al., 2023)
Figure 1: Mind Map: Maslow’s Humanistic Theory of Personality (Maslow, 1943, 1954; Rojas
et al., 2023). Dashed lines indicate local South African contextual examples.
Physiological Needs Love & Belonging Needs
Safety Needs Esteem Needs
Self-Actualisation SA Contextual Examples (dashed)
Page 2 of 7
