One way to look at this is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, a theory proposed in 1943 by psychologist Abraham Maslow, which argues that human motivation is influenced by a series of hierarchical needs. According to the theory, one needs to fulfil low-level needs before working their way up to the higher-level psychological and self-fulfillment needs. Well-established across the disciplines of psychology, education, management and social science, they all provide important insights about human behavior and development.
Maslow described how the hierarchy was made up of five levels of needs, ranked in the order by which they were to be satisfied.
According to Maslow, these five needs are represented in a five-tiered pyramid form, ascending from the most basic needs (those at the bottom) to the higher-order needs (in the top half). The levels, from base to top, are:
- Physiological Needs
Physiological Needs — At the base of the pyramid are physiological needs or the basic human requirements for survival. Among those needs, we have air, water, food, shelter, sleep, and clothes. If an individual’s lower-level needs are not satisfied, he or she cannot address higher-level needs. These play a significant role in the functionality of the human body and help with its survival. - Safety Needs
After physiological needs have been fulfilled, it is all about safety and security. These include the basic physical safety (from danger, violence, or disaster), as well as psychological safety (the stability of resources, employment, and health). Feeling safe in the environment, together with feeling secure to develop as a person with relationships, is essential for people. - Love and Belonging Needs
Once those safety needs are met, individuals desire love and connection (+ The needs for love). Level 4 — Relationships, Friendships, Intimacy and Sense of Belonging Humans are social creatures and we need meaningful relationships to be emotionally healthy. This encompasses family relationships, friendships, romantic partnerships, and membership in groups. - Esteem Needs
These esteem needs are based on feelings of self-worth, social status, and achievement. This phase incorporates the motivation for acknowledgment, status, individual achievements, and a feeling of adequacy. Fulfilling these needs leads to assurance and also accomplishment. At this point, others want acknowledgement and esteem from peers and culture. - Self-Actualization Needs
Self-actualization is the highest point in Maslow’s hierarchy and is characterized by the fulfillment of one’s potential as a person. It is the drive to be the best version of yourself; to seek growth, creativity, fulfillment, and to pursue your passions and goals. At this phase, people are driven by personal development, self-discovery, and making a difference to humanity in a larger perspective.
Progressing Through the Hierarchy
He thought that humans needed to complete lower-level needs before advancing to higher level ones. For instance, a starving individual (physiological need) wouldn’t pay any mind to securing esteem or a creative outlet until their basic needs for survival were met. Once you conquer your fundamental needs, you can progress upward through the remaining layers of the pyramid and finally reach self-actualization.
This is the principle that human motivation is dynamic — that it changes as people meet their needs and grow. It also sheds some light on why it can happen that some people end up dissatisfied when lower-level needs are ignored and higher-level dreams are pursued.
Criticisms and Revisions of Maslow’s Theory
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a cornerstone of psychology theory — with an asterisk. Some frameworks can be more fluid — other behavioral theorists challenged Maslow’s rigid hierarchy. Self-Actualization: The fulfillment of ones talents and potential. How those needs are prioritized depends on life experiences, cultural context, and individual differences.
Moreover, the concept is criticized as being hierarchical in nature, which is not actually representative of human experience, since people working on various need levels simultaneously or even backing off from some levels depending on their circumstances.
Later revisions of the theory by Maslow also embodied a much more fluid approach. He added more layers to the pyramid, including cognitive needs (the need for knowledge and understanding) and aesthetic needs (the appreciation of beauty and balance), recognizing that human motivation is more nuanced than the original pyramid suggested.
Why Maslow’s Hierarchy Is Not So Outdated After All
Despite the criticisms, Maslow’s theory is applicable in a wide range of areas throughout history. In psychology, it has influenced theories of human development and motivation, especially in therapeutic and counseling contexts. At work, the framework is used by managers to ensure work environments satisfy employee needs at every level, to improve productivity and satisfaction. For educators, the hierarchy provides insight into strategies for encouraging student engagement, learning, and well-being.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs continues to motivate those in the modern world, where emphasis on mental health and self-empowerment are at a higher level than ever, to work towards self-actualization. It reminds us that personal fulfillment and growth is an ongoing process that involves taking care of our basic, as well as higher needs.
Conclusion
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs gives a solid guide to help understand what motivates us humans. This pyramid of needs identifies the spectrum of reasons that lead to human behavior, ranging from survival and safety to self-actualization and personal growth. It’s not a definitive model, but the hierarchy highlights our needs as well as the aspects of our lives where we can do better to meet our needs and become the best versions of ourselves. Maslow’s theory reminds our navigating of the challenges and possibilities of life as a guide to how to seek greater fulfillment and self-actualization.
