Peak Experiences in Childhooda: An Exploratory Study

Abstract

In the quarter century since Abraham Maslow's death in 1970, his concept of peak experience has remained important to personality theory and such applied fields as counseling, psychotherapy, and education. However, it is little known that Maslow became interested in the topic of childhood peak experiences at the end of his life. In this exploratory study, Maslow's biographer conducted oral and written interviews-phenomenologically based-with more than 250 adult men and women who could recall enduring "peak" episodes experienced before age 14. The results were supportive of Maslow's hypothesis that even young children are capable of peak moments of lasting impact. After presenting an overview of Maslow's general approach to peak experiences, a typology (with specific examples) is presented of nine distinct categories of childhood epiphanies, including uplifting experiences in places of scenic grandeur, near-death or crisis episodes, spontaneous moments of bliss, and unforgettable dreams. Directions for future research are suggested.