Maslow’s Hierarchyof Needs

Development of Theory

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a theory in psychology that Abraham Maslow proposed in his 1943 paper A Theory of Human Motivation

• Maslow studied exemplary people rather than mentally ill or neurotic people

Representations

• Hierarchy most often depicted as a pyramid consisting of five levels– the four lower levels are grouped together as

deficiency needs associated with physiological needs

– while the top level is termed growth needs associated with psychological needs.

Deficiency Needs

• The first four layers of the pyramid are what Maslow called "deficiency needs" or "D-needs“– the individual does not feel anything if they are

met, but feels anxious if they are not met

Physiological Needs

• These are the basic animal needs for such things as food, warmth, shelter, sex, water, and other body needs.– If a person is hungry or thirsty or his body is

chemically unbalanced, all of his energies turn toward remedying these deficiencies, and other needs remain inactive.

• Physiological needs consist mainly of:– Excretion – Eating – Sex – Drinking – Sleeping – Shelter – Warmth

Safety Needs

• These needs have to do with man's yearning for a predictable, orderly world in which injustice and inconsistency are under control, the familiar frequent, and the unfamiliar rare.

• Safety needs include:– Personal security from crime – Security against company lay-offs – Health and well-being – Safety net against accidents/illness and the

adverse impacts

Love/Belonging/Social Needs

• This psychological aspect of Maslow's hierarchy involves emotionally-based relationships in general, such as:– friendship – sexual intimacy – having a supportive and communicative family

Esteem Needs

• All humans have a need to be respected, to have self-esteem, self-respect, and to respect others.

• People need to engage themselves to gain recognition and have an activity or activities that give the person a sense of contribution, to feel accepted and self-valued, be it in a profession or hobby.

• Imbalances at this level can result in low self-esteem, inferiority complexes

Growth Needs

• Though the deficiency needs may be seen as "basic", self-actualization and transcendence are "being" or "growth needs“– also termed by Maslow as "B-needs"

Cognitive and Aesthetic Needs

• Cognitive needs is the expression of the natural human need to learn, explore, discover and create to get a better understanding of the world around them

• Maslow believed that humans need beautiful imagery or something new and aesthetically pleasing to continue up towards Self-Actualization.

Self-actualization

• Self-actualization is the instinctual need of humans to make the most of their abilities and to strive to be the best they can.

• Maslow's need hierarchy is set forth as a general proposition and does not imply that everyone's needs follow the same rigid pattern.– This is misunderstood by many of Maslow’s

critics

• In short, self-actualization is reaching one's fullest potential.

Characteristics of the Self-actualized• They embrace the facts and realities of the world.• They are spontaneous in their ideas and actions. • They are creative. • They are interested in solving problems.• They feel a closeness to other people, and generally

appreciate life. • They have a system of morality that is fully

internalized and independent of external authority. • They have discernment and are able to view all things

in an objective manner.

Criticisms of Maslow

• Why do higher needs often motivate people even when lower needs are unsatisfied?

• Sometimes people are simultaneously motivated by needs at different levels.

Maslow’s Response

• While order holds for most people, there are exceptions.– Martyrs– respect before love

• 100% satisfaction?• Needs are only partially satisfied at any

given moment• Average American

– Physiological = 85%– Safety = 70%– Belongingness/Love = 50%– Self-esteem = 40%– Self-actualization = 10%

Cultural Differences

• Maslow noted that the means of satisfying a needs may vary across cultures.