Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) huministic-Existential paradigm

Physiological needs

Physiological needs are those required to sustainable life, such as:

• Air

• Water

• Food

• Sleep

Safety Needs

Once physiological needs are met, one’s attention turns to safety and security in order to be free from the threat of physical and emotional harm. Such needs might be fulfilled by:

• living in a safe area

• medical insurance

• job security

• financial reserves

Social Needs

Once a person has met the lower level physiological and safety needs, higher level needs awaken. The first level of higher level needs are social needs

Social needs are those related to interaction with others and may include:

• Friendship

• Belonging to a group

• Giving and receiving love

Esteem Needs

Once a person feels a sense of “belonging”, the need to feel important arises. Esteem needs may be classified as internal or external.

Internal esteem needs are those related to self esteem such as self respect and achievement

External esteem needs are those such as social status and recognition. Some esteem needs are:

• Self-respect

• achievement

• attention

• recognition

• reputation

Self-Actualization

Self-actualization is the summit of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It is the quest of reaching one’s full potential as a person.

Self-actualized people tend to have needs such as:

• Truth

• Justice

• Wisdom

• Meaning