Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Motivation Theory Overview, Explanation and Examples.

 

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivation theory given by one of the most famous Humanistic Psychologist “Abraham Maslow”. He was one of the most influential psychologists of the 20^th Century. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory became very famous not only in the Psychology field but also in Education and marketing. This theory is widely used in educational institutes and marketing fields. This theory is still considered one of the most important theories of Motivation in Psychology.

According to Humanistic Psychologist Abraham Malow; Our behaviors are motivated by certain needs and drives. Our needs and goals allow us to behave in a certain way. If we succeed to achieve these needs and goals, then our behavior is motivated to achieve the next and higher goal. Maslow defines these needs in a hierarchical form. The Maslow theory of needs looks like a pyramid. The needs are started from the bottom and move on to the top of the Pyramids. The needs at the bottom are basic needs but the needs at the top of Pyramids are most important. The needs at the bottom are physiological and biological needs like food, water, sleep, and warmth which are important for our Survival. If we don’t fulfill these needs then we cannot live a life in this World. But if we fulfill these needs then we move on to the next level. At this level, the security and safety needs become primary and important.  Then needs for love, acceptance, and intimacy become important in the third level. After that Needs for Self-Respect and Acceptance become essential. Self-Actualization is the needs present at the top of the Pyramid. Self-actualization is Higher level needs and a very small amount of people can reach this level.

According to Abraham Maslow, everyone in this world is striving to reach this level. The people who reach at this level Used their full potential and they are at their peak experience. These people are self-aware and they don’t what people are thinking about them.  Self-actualized people have a positive outlook about the world. They don’t follow society's rules, they make their own rules. They are free and independent in their Decision. Self-actualization is considered a growing need and Usually Spiritual leaders, philosophers, writers and philanthropists can reach at this level. Let’s imagine this Pyramid as a mountain and many climbers start their journey to reach at the peak but only a few people can reach at the peak.

The needs at the bottom of the Pyramid are usually Physiological and biological needs, but if we move on to the next levels, the needs become psychological and then Social soon. According to some researchers, sometimes these needs don’t follow the hierarchy.

 

 Deficiency Needs vs Growth Needs:

The Physiological, safety, Love, and esteem needs are considered as Deficiency needs because they arise from Deprivation. The fulfillment of these needs is directly linked with Happiness and Life satisfaction. A large number of people can achieve these needs if they work hard. While the need at the top of the Pyramid is known as Growth needs. Only the person who fulfills deficiency needs can reach at this level.

Physiological Needs:

   The Physiological and Biological Needs are Present at the Bottom of Pyramids. These are the most basic and important needs for the survival of Human being. These needs must be fulfilled in order to survive in this world.  The basic physiological and biological needs are

• Food
• Water
• Sleep
• Temperature
• Regulation

  Psychologists also include Clothing, shelter, and even sex as a basic physiological and Biological need. The people who fulfill these needs can move to the next level.

Safety and Security Needs:

  After completing physiological and biological needs, we move on to the Safety and Security Needs. At this level the need for safety and security become primary.  The basic Security and safety Needs include

• Financial Security
• Relationship security
• Security from Injuries and Accidents.

 Finding a job, Taking an Insurance and making a strong relationship is the primary goals of this level.  These both needs are considered as the basic needs, which are important for our survival.

Love and Belonging Needs:

   When a a person fulfilled both biological and Security needs, they move on to the Love and Belongings Needs. At this level the needs for love and belongings become primary.  These needs are also known as Social Needs. In this level, People want love, acceptance, and Intimacy from others. Love and Belongings needs include

• Intimacy
• Friendship
• Family
•  Romantic Partner.

At this level, people make contact with family, friends, Social and religious groups and others organizations. They want love and acceptance from others. At this level the needs become Psychological. If we aren’t able to meet these needs then we may suffer from Depression, Anxiety, and loneliness.

Esteem Needs:

       If you fulfill all the physiological, Safety, and Love needs then you move on to the Esteem needs. Now at this level, people want to respect and Acceptance from Others. Self-respect and Self-esteem becomes primary and important at this level. This Stage is very important in order to reach at Self Actualization level. Esteem Needs include

•    Self-Respect.
•    Prestige.
•   Sense of Achievement.
•   Feeling of Self Worth.

   Both love and belongings or Esteems needs are Psychological needs. These needs are very important for Happiness and Life Satisfaction.

Self-Actualization:

     Self-Actualization needs are present at the top of Maslow's hierarchy of needs in pyramids.  The people who reached at this level used their full potential and Capability. They are at Peak Experience. They don’t care what people will think about him. They are free and independent in their Decisions. They have a positive outlook of life. These Needs are also known as Growth Needs. Characteristic of Self Actualize people are;

Self-Actualize people have peak Experience.

They are Realistic and Enjoy Solitude and Privacy.

They possess Self-Acceptance and have a democratic World View.

They are Problem solvers and Decision-makers.

 A very small number of people can reach at this level. Everyone can reach at this level but mostly philosophers, Writer, Spiritual leader, Philanthropists, and scientist reached at this level.

 Criticism:

   According to some researchers, Sometimes these needs don't follow the hierarchy and this theory cannot be proved Scientifically. Despite this criticism, this theory is still applicable in the psychology and education field.

Words from Mindfulness Psychology:

  One long year longitudinal study on Maslow's hierarchy of Needs has proved that fulfillment of these needs is directly linked with Happiness and Life Satisfaction. Self-actualization is the Higher level of needs and Everyone in this world tries to reach at this level. But you need free will and unconditional positive regard in order to reach at self-actualization level.