Comment on Dr. Maslow’s research, Self actualizing

Many facts in life have two sides of a story. Facts by no means, can be applied on every situation. In contrast, how many people, we know, failed because their fathers/parents had failed and did not leave them good patterns to follow!? Yet, some were able to successfully, finish up what their fathers could not accomplish. For those, I would take my hat off and give them the green card.

I wonder why Dr. Maslow had only focused his search on artists! Could it be that this was the limitation as far as his knowledge and experience he had gathered?! Do we really wish to limit our conceptions of artist's success, motives and relate them only to their father’s failures? Or is it reasonable to adapt Maslow’s theory and apply it on every artist. Do we actually believe that every artist is "sloppy, anarchic, chaotic, vague, doubtful, indefinite and inexact?" This Dr Maslow’s theory! In contrast, my knowledge is that some artists suffer from being perfectionists because of their high sensitivities that go beyond their present limitations. The good news is that when they push it harder, they reach a greater success, which means limitation can be limitless.

I agree with Dr. Maslow’s research that “those sons/artists in general, have desirable characteristics for success in the arts and for life in general”. The reason is related to their special awareness of their surroundings and this what arts is all about. Reflecting what we perceive, feel, think then complete and perfect what others failed to accomplish. Having said that, why not expand the theory of Dr. Maslow to every ingenious, scientist, intelligent and not only to certain group of people.?



Mona Youssef - Realist fine artist