Autistic Individuals More Likely to Self-Actualize Themselves

If this was a standard introductory course into psychology, one of the courses of study that we could expect is that of Maslow’s Hierarch of Needs. As such, the class might have the student write an essay containing a self-assessment of their own needs as they compare to the hierarchy, or find themselves reading Abraham Maslow’s 1943 paper, A Theory of Human Motivation, as found in the 1943 journal, Psychological Review. On the most basic level, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is concerned with reaching one’s fullest potential and self-actualizing oneself. According to Maslow’s theory, human motivation — based on our intrinsic needs — fit in a five stage model that is often represented on a pyramid. At the base of Maslow’s five stage pyramid model, we find that it begins with physiological needs that are basic to our survival such as air, food, water, and shelter. On the next tier or rung of the model lies all of our safety needs that included, but are not limited to security, employment, resources, health, and property. Moving on from there, the third tier of Maslow’s model consists of needs pertaining to love and belonging; what we could expect to find here are those needs related to family, intimacy, friendship, and connection. Needs associated to self-esteem come next in the context of this framework dealing exclusively with what we want or require, and this…