Psycho-Cybernetics: A New Way to Get More Living out of Life, published in 1960 by Prentice-Hall, introduced a system of ideas that fundamentally altered the self-help genre. Written by a surgeon who observed the profound psychological impacts of corrective procedures, the work argued that an individual's self-image acts as the primary determinant for success or failure in all personal endeavors.
Medical Training and Surgical Practice
Born on March 10, 1899, in Manhattan, Maxwell Maltz completed his formal medical education at the Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, graduating with a doctorate in 1923. He furthered his expertise by training under German surgeons, who, during that era, were recognized as the most advanced practitioners in the field of cosmetic surgery. His medical career focused on plastic surgery, a discipline he navigated during a period of significant technical advancement in the United States.
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Maltz postulated that humans must cultivate a positive and accurate perception of themselves before establishing life goals. He believed that failing to adjust this internal self-image traps individuals in cycles of limiting beliefs, rendering external efforts ineffective. By emphasizing the visualization of specific objectives, his system posited that the self-image is the essential cornerstone for any genuine behavioral change. By 1969, a pocket book edition of his core text had expanded the reach of these concepts.
Literary Contributions
Beyond his clinical and self-help publications, Maltz authored various works of fiction and non-fiction. His 1953 autobiography, Doctor Pygmalion: The Autobiography of a Plastic Surgeon, chronicled his surgical experiences and was later re-titled Doctor Psycho-Cybernetics. He also explored dramatic writing with his 1946 play, Unseen Scar, and completed the novel The Time is Now in 1975, the same year he died.
Fast facts
- Born: March 10, 1899, Manhattan
- Died: April 7, 1975
- Medical degree: Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons
- Primary book: Psycho-Cybernetics (1960)
- Spouse: Anna Harabin
- Nationality: United States
- Occupations: Physician, surgeon, writer, psychologist
Questions readers ask
What was the main focus of Maltz's self-help philosophy?
He focused on the necessity of a positive self-image and the use of visualization to overcome limiting beliefs and achieve personal goals.
Did Maltz write anything other than his famous self-help book?
Yes, he authored an autobiography titled Doctor Pygmalion, a play called Unseen Scar, and a novel titled The Time is Now.
Achievements
- Fields: plastic surgery
