Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Human Needs
A Theory of Motivation and the Desire for Self-Actualisation
Sep 10, 2009
The humanist psychologist, Abraham Maslow, developed a theory of motivation which came to be known as "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs." Maslow believed that human beings are motivated not only by their basic needs, but by other psychological needs and the desire for self-actualisation as well.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs ascends in a series of levels, from the essential physiological and safety needs at the bottom, to the more complex psychological sources of motivation. Psychological needs include the need to belong and be accepted by others, the need for esteem, and the need for self-actualisation. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be at least partially met before progressing to higher-order needs.
Higher level psychological needs are only important once the more basic needs have been satisfied. For example, the need for esteem will not be significant if a person is still struggling to satisfy his or her necessary food and safety needs. If people don’t have their basic biological needs, they will have little time and energy for needs higher up in the hierarchy.
Physical and Psychological Needs in the Hierarchy
Here are the physical and psychological needs, featured in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:
- Physiological needs - Physiological needs are at the very bottom of the hierarchy, and include food, water and oxygen. People may not survive if their physiological needs are not met, and if they are operating at this level, they could be panicking, terrified or close to violence.
- Safety needs - Next on the hierarchy after physiological needs are safety needs, which include the need to feel comfort and security, and be free from danger and fear.
- Belonging needs - The need to belong is above safety needs, and includes the need to experience the love and acceptance of other people, and feel affiliation with them.
- Esteem needs - The need for self-esteem is above the need to belong in the hierarchy. A person is functioning at this level when he or she feels a sense of success and achievement, and receives the recognition, approval and respect of other people.
- Self-actualisation needs - Self-actualisation sits at the top of the hierarchy. Successfully climbing to this level means experiencing self-fulfillment and realising one's potential.
The level in the hierarchy at which a person is operating may change from time to time. For example, once having ascended to the level of esteem, a person may temporarily regress to the level of the need for belonging if he or she no longer feels loved and accepted by others. The lower level needs must still be met even when someone is functioning at one of the higher levels.
The Motivation for Self-Actualisation
The motivation for self-actualisation becomes apparent when a person realises his or her purpose in life and has the desire to fulfill it. To be the best that one can be is to be self-actualised. For example, a poet writes poetry, a musician makes music, and an artist paints, if this is what is necessary to achieve happiness.
Maslow studied famous people who he considered had realised their full potential in life, including Thomas Jefferson, Ludwig van Beethoven, Eleanor Roosevelt and Albert Einstein. Maslow discovered these particular people shared certain admirable qualities including realism, self-acceptance and acceptance of others, tolerance of uncertain situations, problem solving, objectivity, creativity, a good sense of humour and democratic principles.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs proposes that when human beings have met their basic needs to survive, felt a sense of belonging and developed self-esteem, they can become motivated to achieve self-actualisation.
Resources:
- Maslow, A. H. Motivation and Personality, 2nd Ed. New York: Harper and Row, 1970.
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