MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF

NEEDS

by: Valerie Crigger

PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDSClick icon to add picture

These are the most basic

needs that drive us as

humans such as food, sleep,

water, and last but not least

sex.

Example: Not having any

money for food might lead

you to go hunting or fishing

for game in order to meet

this basic need of hunger.

Without food you can’t live.

SAFETY NEEDS

This is the need to feel like your environment is

safe around you. Failure to meet this need can result

in stress and anxiety. Example: You just moved into a

city and was not able to afford an apartment in the

nicest area. Your first night there you are highly

stressed and unable to sleep because of all the police

sirens you keep hearing pass by. In this case your

safety need is not being met because you are unsure

of the area you are now living in.

This is the need to

obtain and give

affection.

LOVE AND BELONGINGNESS

Example: You know your father

loves you very dearly but he is

not an affectionate person

throughout your childhood. This

might leave you with a certain

extra emphasis (later in life) on

affection. You might look for

relationships with people whom

are very affectionate to meet this

unsatisfied need.

ESTEEM

This is the need to feel like you alone are worth

something to someone. Example in order to meet

this need you might do things for charity or do nice

things for random people because this makes you

feel good about yourself providing you with the now

met need of Esteem.

SELF-ACTUALIZATION

A state of self-fulfillment

Example: Something you do that

you truly enjoy and that makes you

happy. It can almost put some

people into a euphoric state they

enjoy it so much. It could be rock

climbing, reading, singing, giving

to the needy, taking care of

children, running or photography.

It can be anything. It’s what makes

you happy.

THE END