Maslow Hierarchy Theory

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy theory of needs is one of the best-known theories of Motivation. Maslow’s theory states that our actions are motivated by certain physiological needs. It is often represented by a pyramid of needs, with the most basic needs at the bottom and more complex needs at the top. The hierarchy states that people are move eager to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs.

The needs that are at the bottom of Maslow’s pyramid are the basic needs including the need for food, water, and sleep. Once you are met with these lower-level needs people move on to the next level of needs including safety and security.  Maslow believes that these needs play a major role in motivating behavior. There are five different levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, starting with the lowest level known as physiological Needs.

1.    Physiological Needs

The physiological needs are vital and very important for our survival. Some examples of Physiological needs are:

  1. Food
  2. Water
  3. Breathing
  4. Sex
  5. Sleep

If these needs are not satisfied human body will not function optimally in Maslow’s theory Physiological needs are considered as most important needs as all the other needs are secondary until these needs are met.

2.    Security and safety Needs

As now moving toward the second level of Maslow’s hierarchy, now the needs start to become a little more complex, the need for safety and security become primary.

  1. Health and wellness
  2. Safety against accidents and injury
  3. Emotional Security
  4. Financial security

People want control and order in their lives. So, the need for safety and security contributes largely to behaviors at this level. As they want to experience predictability and control in their lives. Finding a good job, obtaining health insurance and health care, contributing some money to a savings account for a better future, and moving into a safer neighborhood are all examples of actions motivated by security and safety needs.

3.    Social Needs (Love and Belonging)

The social needs in the hierarchy include such things as love, acceptance, and belonging. At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior. Some of the things that satisfy this need include:

  1. Friendships
  2. Romantic Attachments
  3. Family

Social needs are also one of the main factors in Maslow’s theory, as everyone needs love and belonging having social connections is related to better physical health and, conversely, feeling isolated. Importantly, this need encompasses both feeling loved and feeling love towards others.

4.    Esteem Needs

Now in the fourth level in Maslow’s hierarchy is the need for appreciation and respect. Once the need at the bottom three levels has been satisfied, esteem needs play a very important role in motivating behavior.

Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories:

  1. esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and
  2. the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige).

At this level, it becomes important to gain respect and appreciation for others.  People need to sense that they are valued by others and feel that they are making a contribution to the world.

5.    Self-actualization needs

At the very peak in Maslow’s hierarchy,  there are self-actualization needs. Now people are self-aware, concerned, very well know what’s right what’s wrong, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested in fulfilling their needs.

“What a man can be, he must be,” Maslow explained, referring to the need people have to achieve their full potential as human beings.

This includes the urge to become what you are capable of becoming / what you have the potential to become. It also includes the desire for gaining more knowledge, social- service, creativity, and being aesthetic. The self-actualization needs are never fully satiable. As an individual grows psychologically, opportunities keep cropping up to continue growing.

6.     Conclusion

In conclusion, Abraham Maslow’s theory is very important and has a connection with the function of human resources. The physiological need is the basic needs that everyone has to perform then will proceed to the other needs which are safety needs that everyone feels safe in doing something and always is careful and then social needs that encourage people to communicate with everyone and supposedly don’t have to feel shy and everyone should have high self-esteem and the last one is self-actualization.

7.    References

 

Write a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *