o her/his own life and experience-observation of others. Thus, while Maslow's theory offers a good starting point for judging various points in development in terms of the needs hierarchy, the theory also leaves a great deal unexplained. The skeptical reader finds, ironically, that s/he is now looking to the developmental schemes for complete explanations--often, perhaps, beyond what such schemes can offer.
There is a certain amount of narcissism in this, of course. Where one might like Maslow's theory because it seems to offer explanations and potential solutions for social problems, one might also 'choose' a particular theory of development because it is flattering to one's self-esteem. Thus, in my case, any theory that relied heavily on concepts of self-reliance as major factors in development might seem particularly attractive because self-reliance has always been--since the early death of my parents--a sort of token in any description of my own personality. The words are invoked almost as a form of reassurance. Thus, one who is self-relia
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