Social science theories are expressive acts by their authors, and thus reflect their authors' life experiences and developmental tasks. Maslow's theory of human motivation and Alderfer's conception of existence, relatedness, and growth (ERG) needs are frameworks accounting for the same phenomena. An alternative to Maslow's formulation, ERG theory was presented during a later historical period than its predecessor, and at an earlier stage of its author's life. In this autobiographical account, the author describes his childhood and adolescent origins and the events that led him to formulate ERG theory, examines the life stages at which he and Maslow developed their theories, and discusses how aspects of the authors' lives might account for similarities and differences in their conceptual products.
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