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The Best Team Ever: Kelly O, Michael T, and Silver G

Spirituality, Transcendence--The Transpersonal Theory

Welcome to week 14 and our presentation on Transpersonal Theory! A plethora of information covering Transpersonal Theory can be located in Chapter 13 of our Contemporary Human Behavior Theory book and other resources. However, our presentation will provide a basic overview on Transpersonal Theory; the definition, history, and major theorists of Transpersonal Theory; and how Transpersonal Theory is applied in the social work profession and within the context of women. We hope you find our presentation to be enlightening, helpful, informative, and personally and professionally supportive.

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The transpersonal is a phenomenon or experience "in which the sense of identity or self extends beyond (trans) the individual or personal to encompass wider aspects of humankind, life, psyche or cosmos".[1] The term is highly associated with the work of Abraham Maslow and his understanding of "peak experiences", and was first adapted by the human potential movement in the 1960s.

Transpersonal theory proposes that there are developmental stages beyond the adult ego, which involve experiences of connectedness with phenomena considered outside the boundaries of the ego. In healthy individuals, these developmental stages can engender the highest human qualities, including altruism, creativity, and intuitive wisdom.

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Unlocking You 2, Above Self Actualization, Transpersonal Psychology, Mind Control Report

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Exclusive Content!! http://www.patreon.com/psychetruth This video discuss transpersonal psychology. Maslow revised the chart of human hierarchy of needs to include a higher self of self transcendence. This video explains self transcendence and introduces people to models of levels of consciousness such as Spiral Dynamics which was popularized by Ken Wilber and Timothy Learyâ??s 8 Circuit Model of Consciousness.

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We’ve all seen Maslow’s Pyramid of hierarchy, and how each tier represents a different stage, but what should Transpersonal or Transcendence look like? An extended long point on top? A hybrid pyramid with a unicorn horn? When I think of Transpersonal or Transcendence in terms of images/stages I visualize the pyramid, but see a mushroom cloud or a massive volcano that shoots out magical rainbows and awesomeness.

Transpersonal and Transcendence are just beyond. You know when you’re little and you got to see the inside of the Wonka Factory, and you’re in complete awe? To me that is what the top of the pyramid seems to be. Then at the end of the movie just when you think you’ve seen it all…. BOOM! You go to an infinite floor, your glass elevator pops out the ceiling, you’re spiraling in the universe. That to me is what Transpersonal and Transcendence seem to be to me-they make no sense, there is no science behind it, it’s just magical and awesome.

Whether you reach this ultimate vortex of Spirituality by meditating, fasting, chanting, or drug induced people love this high. It’s hard to describe, and everyone may have their own interpretation of what it is, but I believe that is why so many people are eager to return once they’re visited, and the drug induced ones become addicted because they love that rush, they want that roller coaster feeling-the roller coaster with no track.

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Abraham Maslow was at the fore front of interpretation and exploration of transpersonal theories, developing two foundational concepts of self-actualization and self-transcendence and creating the well known Maslow's hierarchy of needs pyramid.

The following theorist expanded on Maslow's initial transendence theory and further contributed to the Transpersonal theories:

Wilber

Jung

Assagioli

In the following slides, we will present background information on these theorists and their contributions to transpersonal theory.

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Abraham Harold Maslow (; April 1, 1908 - June 8, 1970) was an American psychologist who was best known for creating Maslow's hierarchy of needs, a theory of psychological health predicated on fulfilling innate human needs in priority, culminating in self-actualization.

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How Maslow's Famous Hierarchy Explains Human Motivation

What motivates human behavior? The Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories of motivation. According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions are motivated in order to achieve certain needs.

A Closer Look at Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow first introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" and his subsequent book Motivation and Personality. This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs.

While some of the existing schools of thought at the time (such as psychoanalysis and behaviorism) tended to focus on problematic behaviors, Maslow was much more interested in learning about what makes people happy and the things that they do to achieve that aim.

As a humanist, Maslow believed that people have an inborn desire to be self-actualized, that is, to be all they can be. In order to achieve these ultimate goals, however, a number of more basic needs must be met such as the need for food, safety, love, and self-esteem.

There are five different levels of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Let's take a closer look at Maslow's needs starting at the lowest level, which are known as physiological needs.

From Basic to More Complex Needs

Maslow's hierarchy is most often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid are made up of the most basic needs, while the most complex needs are at the top of the pyramid.

Needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food, water, sleep, and warmth. Once these lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs, which are for safety and security.

As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social. Soon, the need for love, friendship, and intimacy become important. Further up the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority.

Like Carl Rogers, Maslow emphasized the importance of self-actualization, which is a process of growing and developing as a person in order to achieve individual potential.

Deficiency Needs vs. Growth Needs

Maslow believed that these needs are similar to instincts and play a major role in motivating behavior. Physiological, security, social, and esteem needs are deficiency needs, which arise due to deprivation. Satisfying these lower-level needs is important in order to avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences.

Maslow termed the highest level of the pyramid as growth needs. These needs don't stem from a lack of something, but rather from a desire to grow as a person.

While the theory is generally portrayed as a fairly rigid hierarchy, Maslow noted that the order in which these needs are fulfilled does not always follow this standard progression. For example, he noted that for some individuals, the need for self-esteem is more important than the need for love. For others, the need for creative fulfillment may supersede even the most basic needs.

The basic physiological needs are probably fairly apparent-these include the things that are vital to our survival. Some examples of the physiological needs include:

In addition to the basic requirements of nutrition, air and temperature regulation, the physiological needs also include such things as shelter and clothing. Maslow also included sexual reproduction in this level of the hierarchy of needs since it is essential to the survival and propagation of the species.

Security and Safety Needs

As we move up to the second level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the requirements start to become a bit more complex. At this level, the needs for security and safety become primary. People want control and order in their lives, so this need for safety and security contributes largely to behaviors at this level.

Some of the basic security and safety needs include:

Financial security

Heath and wellness

Safety against accidents and injury

Finding a job, obtaining health insurance and health care, contributing money to a savings account, and moving into a safer neighborhood are all examples of actions motivated by the security and safety needs.

Together, the safety and physiological levels of the hierarchy make up what is often referred to as the basic needs.

The social needs in Maslow's hierarchy include such things as love, acceptance and belonging. At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior. Some of the things that satisfy this need include:

Friendships

Romantic attachments

Family

Social groups

Community groups

Churches and religious organizations

In order to avoid problems such as loneliness, depression, and anxiety, it is important for people to feel loved and accepted by other people. Personal relationships with friends, family, and lovers play an important role, as does involvement in other groups that might include religious groups, sports teams, book clubs, and other group activities.

At the fourth level in Maslow's hierarchy is the need for appreciation and respect. When the needs at the bottom three levels have been satisfied, the esteem needs begin to play a more prominent role in motivating behavior.

At this point, it becomes increasingly important to gain the respect and appreciation of others. People have a need to accomplish things and then have their efforts recognized.

In addition to the need for feelings of accomplishment and prestige, the esteem needs include such things as self-esteem and personal worth. People need to sense that they are valued and by others and feel that they are making a contribution to the world. Participation in professional activities, academic accomplishments, athletic or team participation, and personal hobbies can all play a role in fulfilling the esteem needs.

People who are able to satisfy the esteem needs by achieving good self-esteem and the recognition of others tend to feel confident in their abilities. Those who lack self-esteem and the respect of others can develop feelings of inferiority.

Together, the esteem and social levels make up what is known as the psychological needs of the hierarchy.

At the very peak of Maslow's hierarchy are the self-actualization needs. "What a man can be, he must be," Maslow explained, referring to the need people have to achieve their full potential as human beings.

According to Maslow's definition of self-actualization:

"It may be loosely described as the full use and exploitation of talents, capabilities, potentialities, etc. Such people seem to be fulfilling themselves and to be doing the best that they are capable of doing... They are people who have developed or are developing to the full stature of which they capable."

Self-actualizing people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested fulfilling their potential.

Criticisms of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's theory has become wildly popular both in and out of psychology. The fields of education and business have been particularly influenced by the theory. While popular, Maslow's concept has not been without criticism.

Chief among these:
Needs Do Not Necessarily Follow a Hierarchy
While some research showed some support for Maslow's theories, most research has not been able to substantiate the idea of a needs hierarchy. Wahba and Bridwell reported that there was little evidence for Maslow's ranking of these needs and even less evidence that these needs are in a hierarchical order.
The Theory is Difficult to Test
Other criticisms of Maslow's theory note that his definition of self-actualization is difficult to test scientifically. His research on self-actualization was also based on a very limited sample of individuals, including people he knew as well as biographies of famous individuals that Maslow believed to be self-actualized.
So Why Was Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs So Influential?
Regardless of these criticisms, Maslow's hierarchy of needs represents part of an important shift in psychology. Rather than focusing on abnormal behavior and development, Maslow's humanistic psychology was focused on the development of healthy individuals.

While there was relatively little research supporting the theory, the hierarchy of needs is well-known and popular both in and out of psychology. In a study published in 2011, researchers from the University of Illinois set out to put the hierarchy to the test.

What they discovered is that while the fulfillment of the needs was strongly correlated with happiness, people from cultures all over the world reported that self-actualization and social needs were important even when many of the most basic needs were unfulfilled.

Such results suggest that while these needs can be powerful motivators of human behavior, they do not necessarily take the hierarchical form that Maslow described.
Maslow, AH. A Theory of Human Motivation. Start Publishing; 2012. Tay, L, & Diener, E. Needs and subjective well-being around the world. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 2011; 101(2): 354-365. DOI: 10.1037/a0023779. Wahba, MA, & Bridwell, LG. Maslow reconsidered: A review of research on the need hierarchy theory. Organizational Behavior and Human Performance. 1976;15:212-240.

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The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

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How Maslow's Famous Hierarchy Explains Human Motivation What motivates human behavior? The Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories of motivation. According to humanist psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions are motivated in order to achieve certain needs.

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Freud saw in the younger man the potential heir he had been seeking to carry on his "new science" of psychoanalysis. Jung's research and personal vision, however, made it impossible for him to bend to his older colleague's doctrine and a schism became inevitable.

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Excerpt from Man & His Symbols (Audiobook) by Carl G. Jung on the concept of synchronicity. Subtitles & translated subtitles available by clicking the captions icon. https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/100078?hl=en Synchronicity is the experience of two or more events that are apparently causally unrelated or unlikely to occur together by chance, yet are experienced as occurring together in a meaningful manner.

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Roberto Assagioli (27 February 1888 - 23 August 1974) was an Italian psychiatrist and pioneer in the fields of humanistic and transpersonal psychology. Assagioli founded the psychological movement known as Psychosynthesis, which is still being developed today by therapists and psychologists, who practice the psychological methods and techniques he developed.

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The Institute of Psychosynthesis Faculty

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Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors

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Interview on Psychosynthesis with Roberto Assagioli

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Wilber was born in 1949 in Oklahoma City. In 1967 he enrolled as a pre-med student at Duke University. He became inspired, like many of his generation, by Eastern literature, particularly the Tao Te Ching.

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The most specific description of Enlightenment/Spirit/God you have ever heard.

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Transpersonal Theory and Social Work practice

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Transpersonal Theory and Social Work practice

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The Transpersonal movement have been historically neglected in the social work field.  However, if a social workers goal is to understand and help individuals as a whole person, social workers will need to understand this aspect of human behavior and the interactions of these behaviors in the environment.

“Social work ethics require that workers practice in a manner that respects religious, cultural, and other forms of diversity. Transpersonal theories can help us to build our knowledge and skills to demonstrate this respect” (Canda, Chatterjee and Robbins, 2012, p. 405).

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Provides a non-sectarian conceptual framework for spiritually sensitive social work practice by:

Recognizing that religious and spiritual diversity as important aspects of human diversity.

Helping practitioners address the spiritual dimension of human behavior and experience.

Being congruent with social justice orientation, the strengths perspective and empowerment practice approaches.

Transpersonal theories can help address many practice issues such as:

adverse childhood experiences

positive youth development

divorce

mental health recovery

chronic illness

hospice

aging

human service organizational management

social work education

Robbins, S., Chatterjee, P., & Canda, E. (2012). Contemporary human behavior theory a critical perspective for social work. (3 ed.). Saddle River, NJ: Allyn and Bacon.

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The voices of women have often been excluded from the various psychological studies focused on Transpersonal Theory. However, as the live experiences of women are documented through field research, they are able to communicate how cracks in transpersonal theory exist.  These cracks permeate by ignoring women's Transpersonal occurrences and their communication serves as the voice for shedding light on existing cracks in need of consideration, engagement, and taken as serious value. Equally important, transpersonal therapy has historically made an effort towards cultural balance by addressing the needs of people regardless of their age, ethnicity, and/or race. Overall, we hope you enjoy reading the article, Bringing Women’s Voices to Transpersonal Theory. This article intentionally adds the voices of women by purposely focusing on their transpersonal experience.

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Transpersonal theories are a vast and diverse topic of exploration with many interpretations. It has solid implications in the social work profession and reaches across diverse practice populations.

"If we are to develop an understanding of the whole person and the whole environment, it is crucial that we take the insights of transpersonal theories into account" (Canada, Chatterjee and Robbins, 2012, p. 408).