ABSTRACT
In one sense Maslow’s perspective-shift from behaviourism to humanism was very significant. Under the influence of the Gestaltist Wertheimer, Maslow called for an anti-reductionist psychology which addresses values and meanings. His humanistic approach was laced with existentialism since it equipped individuals with personal choice and self-direction. At the same time he was aiming to go beyond orthodox Freudianism. Maslow’s highest level of achievement is a list of bourgeois values that most secular and religious members of the elite can sign up to without a solicitor. Maslow sometimes displayed very definite ideas about the purview of psychological investigation. Russell Jacoby judged that Maslow wished to strengthen capitalism by basing its foundations on meritocracy and ‘equal opportunity’, instead of the supposed genetic superiority of the elite. What Maslow called ‘self-actualisers’ turn out to be his preferred choice of grand and petty bourgeois leaders.
