This cognitive scientist rebuilt Maslow’s hierarchy of needs for today’s world

Our hierarchy of needs isn’t a pyramid. It’s this. For more stories, ideas, and advice from changemakers tackling our biggest challenges, subscribe to Stand Together ► --------------- Self-actualization is about finding your unique strengths and gifts and applying them to the world around you, for a fulfilling and purposeful life. The idea of self-actualization was first popularized by Abraham Maslow, who developed his Hierarchy of Needs theory in the 1970s. But modern cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman challenges that iconic ‘pyramid’ of needs, by proposing a new model that reflects our modern world. Scott’s own struggles, including an auditory processing disorder, led him to understand that traditional measures of intelligence, like IQ tests, don’t capture the full potential of individuals. To better represent the self-actualization journey, Scott proposes a sailboat model: the boat’s stability represents safety, c