When people think of Maslow, they tend to remember two things: the notion of "self-actualization," and his hierarchy of motives.
Maslow made several mistakes (one being the assumption that everybody is just like him, and another being his relative discounting of unconscious motive), but what is most interesting is how some of his ideas became absorbed into the culture in distorted ways.
To what extent Maslow studied Nietzche I do not know, but his post-modern glorification of "self" owes plenty to Nietszche. In the brave new world, Self replaced God, and the value of "self-actualization" replaced - for some - sturdier old values such as duty, honor, perseverence, integrity, decency, and - yes - selflessness.
To what extent Maslow played a role in todays pop-culture "It's all about me" theme I can not say, but what I can say, from speaking with a great many people over the years, that the idea that the person must strive to become a heroic manifestation of his Self has led far more people onto the rocks of life than I can count. One reason is, of course, that nobody's "Self," however talented or untalented, is really all that great, and is packed with the flaws with which each of us stuggles daily.
Furthermore, the culture's version of Maslowism leads to much feeling of failure. After all, if I have not fulfilled my potential" or "become who my inner self really is" or "fully actualized my precious self," a person can feel like a failure in life, a certain narcissistic defeat. We all use our gifts as best we can, given our ambition, inspiration, and industriousness, but I view "sef-actualization" as a false idol.
This post is prompted by a good essay on Maslow and the culture: Abraham Maslow and the All-American Self
