Psycho-Cybernetics Part 1 of 30: Introduction to Maxwell Maltz
May 5, 2009 by dr. lam
We are now returning to the West for ideas on self image developed by the renowned plastic surgeon, Maxwell Maltz. I think it is only natural that a plastic surgeon writing on self-development and psychology explore the ideas of a plastic surgeon writing on self-development and psychology. I would like to give credit where credit is due. A few months ago, Dr. Vince Wong, from the UK, an avid contributor to my forum posts, asked me if I had heard of Maltz. My simple answer was no. It is amazing in fact that I had not heard of him since it is so very natural for me to write on him given my vocation and my predilections. In fact, the focus of his practice was the face. Sound familiar? In addition, he was a graduate of my alma mater, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Okay, here we go.
Maltz wrote the seminal book on self-development in 1960, Psycho-Cybernetics, and believe it or not, next year will be the 50th anniversary for the publication of his book. I have found so many nuggets of wisdom in his book that I have continued to expand my blog series as I see fit, and his subject merits a 6 week study if not longer, only punctuated by what I like to call “Monday Meditations” to help you achieve a calm inner peace through the use of reflective meditation. The text that I am using to learn from is The New Psycho-Cybernetics updated and edited by Dan S. Kennedy who uses examples that pull the 1960 text into the 21st century to make it more relevant and applicable to the contemporary individual.
Maltz’s term “psycho-cybernetics” derives from the Greek word “cybernetics” meaning to helm one’s own ship. He believes that we can all steer our destiny by our own self image and cultivating that self image for the purpose of growth and achieving goals in our life. In a way, moving from the Far East that focused on our relationship with nature, we are now focusing more internally on ourselves based on Maltz’s concept. He viewed how we as individuals have two boxes around us. A very narrow box that is defined by our own constricted self image and a much larger box defined by a potential, more expansive self image. The goal of this series is to move you from a limited viewpoint and expand it so that your self image is much broader, wider, and deeper.
Maltz begins by separating the superficial notion of “positive thinking” from his ideas in that the former is merely a patch on how we see things and will not fundamentally create change. If we desire to eat less bad food but our self image is that we have a “sweet tooth”, our failure will be imminent and we will “snap back” to where we started. We must first change our self image. He found that in his work as a plastic surgeon he was able to create profound life changes by changing the face, as he documented in a book in 1936 entitled New Faces, New Futures — rather a propos to what I believe and do every day. Well let Maltz speak for himself here:
“When I first began the practice of plastic surgery many years ago, I was amazed by the dramatic and sudden changes in character and personality that often resulted when a facial defect was corrected. Changing the physical image in many instances appeared to create an entirely new person. In case after case, the scalpel that I held in my hand became a magic wand that transformed not only patients’ appearance, but their whole life. The shy and retiring became bold and courageous. A “stupid” boy changed into an alert, bright youngster who went on to become an executive with a prominent firm. A salesman who had lost his touch and his faith in himself became a model of self-confidence. And perhaps the most startling of all was the habitual “hardened” criminal who changed almost overnight from an incorrigible–who had never showed any desire to change–into a model prisoner, who won a parole and went on to assume a responsible role in society.
“Some sixty years ago I reported many such case histories in my book New Faces, New Futures, written more for my peers than the public. Following its publication, and similar articles in leading magazines, I was besieged with questions by criminologists, psychologists, sociologists, and psychiatrists…”
Maltz then goes on to query why in certain cases when his plastic surgery work should have created a new self image for a person that it didn’t. There was still this disconnect. The person who looked tremendously better could not even see the result in front of them. They were still obsessed with a perceived defect that no longer existed or perhaps never existed to begin with. This blog series will explore this idea among many other concepts of self image more in depth.
I like what Maltz said about the role of the plastic surgeon: ”In 1945 or so, I became definitively convinced that many of the people who consult a plastic surgeon need more than surgery and that some do not need surgery at all. If I were to treat these people as patients, as a whole person rather than merely as a nose, ear, mouth, arm or leg, I needed to be in a position to give them something more. I needed to be able to show them how to obtain a psychological, emotional, and spiritual face lift, how to remove emotional scars, how to channel their attitudes and thoughts as well as modify their physical appearance.”
I look forward to taking this journey of discovering our true self image in the coming weeks.
Comments
8 Responses to “Psycho-Cybernetics Part 1 of 30: Introduction to Maxwell Maltz”
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I totally agree that just thinking positive is not going to change someone but that changing their self-image is, so that is a really good point. That’s great that plastic surgery can change someone’s self-image (on the outside) and this thus changes that person’s viewpoint of themselves all around, causing them to naturally think positive. That’s awesome! Plastic surgery is a really awesome thing as long as someone doesn’t overdo it, which you mentioned.
I think that when someone has a perfectionistic idealism over his/her looks that this can warp that individual’s perception of reality in how s/he really looks. Really good point about if someone doesn’t have a change in self perception from plastic surgery that this was perhaps not the problem to begin with.
Wow, Dr. Lam, this is just the book for you! I like the box idea of one’s self. I am ready to expand my self-image viewpoint! Can’t wait!!
thanks heather. i really got a lot out of these blogs. always value your comments and thoughts. where is vancouver? i know nord is taking an Internet break, which is cool. i may need to do the same.
Hey, take a break, Dr. Lam. Don’t feel like you have to comment after each of our comments. It’s always nice when you do, but you certainly don’t have to.
no, i enjoy doing it!
I’m here – just been a bit busy with getting my trip to Europe/Africa organized.
Indeed, this sounds like it is just the book for you. Judging from what I know about your philosophy and approach to plastic surgery, that last paragraph – with exception of mentioning the year 1945:) – could have been written by you!
I know that eventually, I’ll have to make the trip to Texas…
haha, that does sound like me. maybe i am maltz reincarnated. haha! safe travels!
Thank you for the introduction to Maltz and his ideas. How very relevant to look behind the mask of the issue, all the while uncovering and healing the compreshensive person. Such a powerful contribution to the field and to humanity at large.
thank again irene. i love maltz, especially because he shares a similar background and interest to me, that being a plastic surgeon who is focused as much on the inside as the outside!