Maslow and Miller: An Exploration of Gender and Affiliation in the Journey to Competence

This article shows that although neither Abraham Maslow nor Jean Baker Miller reference each other in their writings, they are following different paths to the same conclusion: competence proceeds from connection. Miller and Maslow both describe a developmental model that applies equally to women and men. The conclusion of the authors of this article is that there is no need for separate developmental models for men and women because all self-actualization and optimum mental health evolves from affiliation.