MASLOW'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS
From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are:
- Physiological
- Safety
- Love and Belonging
- Esteem
- Self-actualization
Every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower level needs.
Fig. I : Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
1. Physiological needs - these are biological
requirements for human survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing,
warmth, sex, sleep.
If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function
optimally. Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the
other needs become secondary until these needs are met.
2. Safety needs - once an individual’s
physiological needs are satisfied, the needs for security and safety become
salient. People want to experience order, predictability and control in their
lives. These needs can be fulfilled by the family and society (e.g. police,
schools, business and medical care).
For example, emotional security, financial security (e.g. employment, social welfare), law and order, freedom from fear, social stability, property, health and wellbeing (e.g. safety against accidents and injury).
Fig. III : Saftey Needs |
3. Love and belongingness needs - after
physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled, the third level of human
needs is social and involves feelings of belongingness. Belongingness, refers
to a human emotional need for interpersonal relationships, affiliating,
connectedness, and being part of a group.
Examples
of belongingness needs include friendship, intimacy, trust, and acceptance,
receiving and giving affection, and love.
4. Esteem - are the fourth level in Maslow’s hierarchy and include self-worth, accomplishments and respect. Maslow classified esteem needs into two categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige).
Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most
important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or
dignity.
5. Self-actualization needs are the highest
level in Maslow's hierarchy, and refer to the realization of a person's
potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.
Maslow (1943) describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that
one can, to become the most that one can be.
Maslow's theory has
given rise to a new way to look at people’s needs. For example Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs is widely used in health and social work as a framework for
assessing clients’ needs.
Problems or
difficult circumstances at one point in a person’s life can cause them to
fixate on a particular set of needs, and this can affect their future
happiness.
For example,
a person who lived through a period of extreme deprivation and lack of security
in early childhood may fixate on physiological and safety needs. These remain
salient even if they are satisfied.
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