After Skool

Our 2 Greatest FEARS - The Psychology of Conformity - Abraham Maslow | After Skool

Sep 17, 2025
Dive into the intriguing realm of our deepest fears as the podcast explores the fear of greatness and conformity. It highlights Maslow's Jonah complex, revealing how isolation can drive people to conform. The discussion delves into the costs of shying away from our potential and emphasizes the importance of healthy confidence—a balance between ability and humility. Engaging and thought-provoking, this conversation encourages listeners to reconsider how these fears shape their lives and aspirations.
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INSIGHT

Fear Of One's Own Greatness

  • People fear their own maximum potential more than insignificance, a phenomenon Maslow called the Jonah complex.
  • We glimpse godlike possibilities in perfect moments yet recoil in awe and fear from actualizing them.
INSIGHT

Isolation Drives Conformity

  • Humans have a primal fear of isolation that discourages them from standing out and pursuing greatness.
  • Becoming unique reduces crowd protection, so people often reject what makes them special to fit in.
INSIGHT

The Push–Pull Of Individuation

  • Life alternates between the impulses to individuate and to conform, creating constant tension in people.
  • Conformity offers safety while individuation fuels the need to differentiate, tossing people back and forth.
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