Maslow's Law and Erik Erikson's Development Stages (CHE 1) CNA

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a pyramid-shaped model that helps understand the barriers and needs required to reach one's best life.

• The ultimate goal is self-actualization.

• Levels of the pyramid:

  • Physiological Needs (Level 1)

  • Safety/Security (Level 2)

  • Love & Belonging (Level 3)

  • Self-Esteem (Level 4)

  • Self-Actualization (Level 5)

Physiological Needs

• Level 1 in Maslow's Hierarchy.

• Baseline needs and the bottom of the pyramid.

• Examples include housing, food, and health.

• Poses the question: If someone is living with housing insecurity, how can they live their best life?

• Expectations of society regarding homelessness are relevant.

Safety/Security

• Level 2 in Maslow's Hierarchy.

• The need to feel safe within one's environment and life.

• Includes physical safety, financial security, and employment security.

• Consideration of who might be most vulnerable to abuse/neglect.

Terminology:

• Abuse: Intentional harm.

• Neglect: Not providing physical, emotional, or needed medical care (intentional).

• Assault: Threatening harm or causing fear.

• Battery: Physical harm.

Love and Belonging

• Level 3 in Maslow's Hierarchy.

• Involves romantic partners, friends, and social groups.

• Feeling safe with basic needs met allows individuals time to develop lasting relationships.

• Internal conflict: Can I be loved?

Self-Esteem

• Level 4 in Maslow's Hierarchy.

• Relates to how we feel about ourselves and our relationships.

• Questions to consider: Am I important to others? Am I independent?

• Being loved contributes to feeling good about oneself.

Self-Actualization

• Final Level (Level 5) in Maslow's Hierarchy - “Best Life”.

• Achieved once all other needs are met.

• Approaching conflict with understanding.

• Independence from others.

The Story of Jimmy (Hypothetical Example)

• Physiological:

  • Jimmy, a discharged military member, is homeless due to PTSD.

  • Question: Will Jimmy likely develop coping strategies for conflict in life in his current situation?

• Safety:

  • Jimmy obtains an apartment in a lower-income area with increased gang activity, causing anxiety.

  • He is set up with a program for ex-military personnel and finds he sleeps more soundly in a quiet new neighborhood.

  • Question: Which of these living situations set Jimmy up to move further through the pyramid?

• Self-Esteem/Self-Actualization:

  • Jimmy meets a supportive girl who helps him recover from PTSD, leading to feelings of love and motivation.

  • Jimmy experiences a PTSD/anxiety attack, causing his girlfriend to move out due to her own trauma.

  • Question: If Jimmy has fallen back one step on Maslow’s pyramid, does this mean Jimmy will never achieve self-actualization?

  • Jimmy and his girlfriend resolve their issues and plan to marry, feeling safe and able to handle his anxiety.

• Progression: Physical Safety -> Love/Belonging -> Self-esteem -> Self-Actualization

Erikson's Stages of Development

• Erik Erikson believed that milestones are influenced by biological, psychological, and social factors.

• These milestones help develop a healthy personality and relationships throughout the lifespan.

• Each stage represents a different conflict that needs resolution.

• Failure to resolve conflicts can create negative personality traits.

• Question: If someone had a rough start to life, does this mean they will never have healthy psycho-social development?

The Eight Psychosocial Stages

• Erik Erikson's Stages of Development are a model of psychological growth that refers to eight stages covering the entire lifespan of an individual from birth until old age.

• Stage 1: Basic Trust vs. Mistrust (Infancy)

  • Period: Birth to 18 months

  • Outcome: Developing trust

• Stage 2: Autonomy vs. Shame & Doubt (Early Childhood)

  • Period: 18 months to 3 years

  • Outcome: Exploring a sense of control in every act

• Stage 3: Initiative vs. Guilt (Preschool)

  • Period: 3 to 5 years

  • Outcome: Facing challenges and overcoming them

• Stage 4: Industry vs. Inferiority (School Age)

  • Period: 5 to 11 years

  • Outcome: Seeking more freedom & developing social interactions

• Stage 5: Identity vs. Role Confusion (Adolescence)

  • Period: 12 to 18 years

  • Outcome: Developing a self-image and identity

• Stage 6: Intimacy vs. Isolation (Young Adulthood)

  • Period: 18 to 40 years

  • Outcome: Aiming on relationships, love affection & intimacy

• Stage 7: Generativity vs. Stagnation (Middle Adulthood)

  • Period: 40 to 65 years

  • Outcome: Assessing self-worth & usefulness as a good human in life

• Stage 8: Integrity vs. Despair (Maturity)

  • Period: 65 yrs until death

  • Outcome: Reflecting upon the course of life

Stage 1: Infant - Trust vs. Mistrust

• Infants rely on parents for all care (housing, feeding, health).

• Lack of care leads to mistrust.

• Maslow Connection: Physical Needs / Safety and Security

Stage 2: Early Childhood - Autonomy vs. Shame/Doubt

• Young children start performing needs independently (dressing, toileting, eating).

• Autonomy reflects control over choices.

• Shame/Doubt results from having choices made for them.

• Maslow Connection: Self-Esteem

Stage 3: Preschool - Initiative vs. Guilt

• Children start to:

  • Explore new activities

  • Do chores without being asked

  • Set goals

• Initiative develops self-esteem.

• Guilt leads to feelings of failure.

• Maslow Connection: Self-Esteem

Stage 4: School Age - Industry vs. Inferiority

• School-age children:

  • Start learning how to read, write, problem solve and develop logical thinking

  • Those who succeed feel industrious

  • Those who struggle may feel inferior

• Maslow Connection: Self-Esteem

Stage 5: Adolescence - Identity vs. Role Confusion

• Adolescents:

  • Start developing social connections with peers, and understanding people’s feelings

  • They Learn how to cope with new feelings and new social interactions

  • They are on a path to understand who they are

• Understanding leads to self-image.

• Confusion leads to uncertainty

• Maslow Connection: Love & Belonging/Self-Esteem

Stage 6: Young Adulthood - Intimacy vs. Isolation

• Young adults:

  • Seek relationships, love, and deep affection

  • Look for intimacy

• Isolation results from not being able to or struggling to find intimacy and affection

• Maslow Connection: Love & Belonging

Stage 7: Middle Adulthood - Generativity vs. Stagnation

• Adults:

  • Start assessing their worth, and if they are useful

  • Nurture individuals and assist their community

• Stagnation arises when adults feel a lack of purpose

• Maslow Connection: Self-Esteem

Stage 8: Maturity - Integrity vs. Despair

• Adults:

  • Reflect upon their life

  • Develop feelings of content if they led successful lives

• Despair arises from a feeling of unaccomplishment

• Maslow Connection: Self-Actualization