Maslows hierarchy of needs

how did the hierarchy form?

Maslow analysed the personality traits of 60 historical figures and personal friends that he felt had gotten to self actualisation, and from this observation he then developed the hierarchy of needs and said they are required for self growth to be attained

structure of the hierarchy

the needs are grouped into levels within the hierarchy which is a pyramid shape, and moving up wards the pyramid the needs change from physiological to psychological ones

lower needs on the hierarchy

maslow described the lower needs on the hierarchy as needing to be met even if its partially before the higher needs on the hierarchy can be met

what is self actualisation

ultimate state of being that all people strive to get. Its how people strive to reach their full potential and continually seeking personal growth

two types of motivations experienced by humans according to maslows hierarchy

deficiency and growth needs

deficiency needs

basic needs that people are motivated to get because they are not there

importance of deficiency needs

they are important for survival and they stop acting as a motivator once they are met

relationship between motivation and deficiency needs

motivation decreases as deficiency needs are met

growth needs

needs that once met act as motivators for people to keep getting or fulfilling them

importance of growth needs

they develop the personality of someone as they are unique to each person leading to happiness and fulfilment and then this acts as a motivator to keep getting them

relationship between motivation and growth needs

motivation increases as each growth need is met

1954 model of needs

physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, self actualisation

1970 model of needs

physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, cognitive needs, aesthetic needs, self actualisation needs, transcendence needs

why was the 1970 model developled

Maslow thought that there is higher levels than self actualisation, and more levels after observing and interviewing his sample even more over the years

what are the deficiency needs

physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs and esteem needs (level 1-4)

what are the growth needs

cognitive, aesthetic, self actualisation, transcendence

physiological needs

basic biological requirements that give people energy, physical contentment and health

• eg. food, water, sleep, shelter, sex

safety needs

needs that involve physical safety and emotional safety

• once not met, people can feel anxiety and a lack of confidence in their environment

love and belonging needs

needs that incorporate the ways in which people get love from others as well as give love

• lack of this need can result in feelings of isolation and loneliness

esteem needs

needs that are based on the need for people to view themselves as capable and achieving and also those that come from the judgement of others

• those that do not fulfil their esteem needs feel weak, helpless and inferior

what are the growth needs?

self actualisation, cognition needs, aesthetic needs and transcendent needs

what occurs when you meet self actualisation needs

feelings of positive wellbeing and maturing, growing and becoming increasingly autonomous

effect of unmet self actualisation needs

discontentment and feeling restlessness

cognitive needs

the need driven from the desire to gain knowledge through curiosity and a goal to understand

aesthetic needs

the need described as beauty and appreciation of the person and the world contributing to wellbeing and fulfilment, where some people may be uncomfortable

transcendence needs

experience of going beyond the limitations of physical human experiences eg. religious, supernatural, mystical encounters

peaker

people who have had peak experiences and have realised these encounters

• people who are peakers strive to feel transcendent experiences, their lives have deeper meaning, they are more accepting, loving and honest

peak experiences

the most wonderful experiences of your life, those moments of ecstasy and complete and utter happiness

• eg. being creative i.e. cooking, painting, reading a book, playing music

characteristics of self actualised people

experience peak experiences, concern for others, acceptance, creative, loving

behaviours that lead to self actualisation

• Being open to trying new things instead of sticking to known or safe paths

• Taking responsibility and working hard

• Being honest and avoiding ‘game playing’ or ‘manipulative behaviours

non peaker

people who have not had trancedent or peak experiences or haven’t realised they have had them

• these people are unable to make use of peak experiences, they feel their life is meaningless because they have nothing to strive for

strengths of the theory

1. focuses on healthy psychological development which as uncommon at the time

2. supported by empirical evidence supporting self actualisation l

3. wider popular theory that has been developed further

limitations of the theory

1. sample of participants interviewed was small and purposefully selected by Malslow

2. no objective measures were used, only subjective measures

3. the concept that lower needs must be met before moving up

application of the theory to a real world context

school programs/sectors have applied this theory, like school administrations by using it to provide an environment where students can thrive and learn by ensuring students deficient needs are met eg. hunger, thirst, safe environments are met to the best of their abilities and prioritising these needs as well.