Maslow’s Final Theory Z

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs — Revised Pyramid and Ladder Visual Interpretation

Self-Transcendence — Beyond Self-Actualization and Theory X & Y

• In introducing Theory X & Y in “The Human Side of Enterprise” (1960), Douglas McGregor made reference to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs model by overlapping Theory Y managers as self-actualized individuals.
• The success of McGregor’s book also propelled Maslow’s psychology to popularity in the management community, leading to the emergence of the ubiquitous pyramid visual we commonly see today. The pyramid visual is not a creation of Maslow’s.
• Little is known that Maslow in his final years of his life, advocated self-transcendence as the top needs, beyond self-actualization. In response to McGregor’s Theory X & Y, Maslow proposed Theory Z, for “individuals who have transcended self-actualization.”
• Maslow’s generation of Humanistic Psychology paved the way to today’s Positive Psychology. Transcendence is now well recognized as an integral strength and virtue for our individual and societal well-being.

Maslow’s Original Hierarchy of Needs Model

In 1943, Abraham H. Maslow published his ground breaking paper “A Theory of Human Motivation,” outlining what we commonly know today as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.