Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Introduction Motivation

Motivation is the aspiration to do something. It plays a vital role in setting up our own goals. Motivation creates competition and social connectivity among humans. In the absence of motivation, individuals may from suffer depression. Motivation is of two types extrinsic and intrinsic. In extrinsic, the individuals are inspired by an outside force like other people's success, reward, etc. While in the case of intrinsic the individuals are inspired by themselves to improve their own activity.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory and was put forward by Abraham Maslow in the year 1943. It is made up of a five-tier model based on human needs. It represents hierarchical levels in a pyramid. According to Maslow motivating behavior play an important role in the fulfilment of our basic needs like safety, food, self-esteem, and love.

In Maslow's hierarchy of needs, five different levels are present and the lowest one is known as physiological needs.

• Physiological needs − The physiological needs are the essential needs of an individual for their survival. Food, water, shelter, air, clothes, temperature regulation, and homeostasis are basic physiological needs. In addition to these basic needs, Maslow included sexual reproduction in this hierarchy.

• Security and safety need − In the second level security and safety needs are in the hierarchy. Everyone in the universe has a desire to control and order their own life. Stability over finance, fitness, safety against accidents and injury, and emotional safety are included in this hierarchy. According to Maslow even in early childhood safety needs are evident as children need a predictable and safe environment. If these are not met, then they react with anxiety and fear. In addition to this as per Maslow, safety needs are more evident in an emergency situation for adults that live in developed countries.

• Social needs − Love, acceptance, and belonging are included in Maslow's third-level social needs. Friendship, relationships between family, romantic attachment, community groups, social groups, religious organizations, etc., are the basic social needs of the people. It is foremost important for an individual to perceive love and acceptance by others to avoid depression or loneliness. Personal relationships and social relationships play a crucial role in the fulfilment of social needs. If we are socially well connected it gives better physical health while on the other hand loneliness affects our mental as well as physical health.

• Esteem needs − Esteem needs is at the fourth level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Maslow subdivided basic needs into two types. The first one is individuals being inspired by themselves to improve their own activities thereby they increase self-confidence and feel-good factor. In the second one, the individuals are inspired by an outside force like other people's success, achievements, rewards, etc. Confidence level will be high in people who fulfilled their esteem needs. In consequence, when it is not met they feel inferior.

• Self-actualization − According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs self-actualization is at the top level.

• This hierarchy includes the potentiality of an individual who is looking for personal fulfilment and growth. According to Maslow, this level is all about the desire of an individual to accomplish everything that he can at the highest level. For example, one may wish to become a perfect parent and an economically or academically successful one.

Images Coming soon

Characteristics of Self-Actualizes

According to Maslow, approximately about 2% of people would be able to reach the self-actualization level. Some of the characteristics of self-actualizes are listed below −

• They have the highest level of tolerance for uncertainty.

• They have a great acceptance level.

• Actions and thoughts are spontaneous.

• They are problem-centric.

• High level of creativity.

• They are socialized.

• They look at life without prejudice.

• Anxious about the welfare of the society.

• They are deep analyzers.

• With strong moral and ethical characteristics.

• Maintains good interpersonal skills with others.

Expanded Hierarchy of Needs

In the year 1970, Maslow added three more hierarchies at the top of the pyramid. That includes −

• Cognitive needs − Cognitive is the source of knowledge. People are always curious to know and learn new things around the world.

• Aesthetic needs − This is the appreciation of beauty, form, balance, etc. The aesthetic needs can be fulfilled with the help of creating or enjoying music, literature, art, and other creative ideas.

• Transcendence needs − Helping others, connecting with the environment, and spiritual practices are included in transcendence needs.

Implication of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

The implication of Maslow's theory in the workplace are listed below −

• To meet the psychological needs of the worker the employer should give appropriate compensation to each and every employee.

• To make the employee feel safe and secure the employer must provide health insurance, retirement benefits, job security, and other benefits to the worker.

• Promotion, incentives, and awards should be given to the employee as an appreciation for their work.

• Social events should be arranged so that every employee knows their teammates.

• An employer should keep an eye that every employee within the organization gets opportunities to climb up and take more responsibility.

Limitations of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

The limitation of Maslow's hierarchy of needs are listed below −

• This theory is based on assumption that every individual is the same.

• It is impossible to apply the Maslow's hierarchy of needs to every employee in an organization.

• It is almost impossible to do an empirical test of Maslow's concept of self-actualization.

• This theory cannot be applicable to all professionals.

Conclusion

Motivation is the aspiration to do something. It plays a vital role in setting up our own goals. Motivation creates competition and social connectivity among humans. In the absence of motivation, individuals may suffer depression. Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory and was put forward by Abraham Maslow in the year 1943. It is made up of a five-tier model based on human needs.

FAQs

Q1. What do you understand by homeostasis?

Ans: Homeostasis is the process by which an organism maintains stability while balancing with condition that is suitable for its survival. It is a self-regulating process. The term homeostasis was first invented by Walter Cannon in the year 1926. If homeostasis is successful, then life goes on and if it fails it means the end of life.

Q2. Why Maslow's theory is not accepted by all scientists?

Ans: Maslow’s theory is not accepted by all scientists because of the following reasons −

• The needs do not follow a hierarchy.

• The theory is difficult to test.

Q3. What are the different sources of motivation?

Ans: It can come from various origins like motivation for better compensation, internal enjoyment, making a good image, and avoiding possible losses.

Q4. What do you understand by depression?

Ans: It is a mental disorder. The person who suffer from depression feels lonely and shows lack of interest. Depression needs immediate medical help.

Q5. Why did Maslow include sexual reproduction in the physiological needs hierarchy?

Ans: Maslow included sexual reproduction in the physiological needs hierarchy, as reproduction is very crucial for the breeding and survival of species.