Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
What Is Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs?
Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory of
motivation which states that five categories of human needs dictate an
individual’s behavior. Those needs are physiological needs, safety needs, love
and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.
What are the 5
Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?
Maslow's theory presents his hierarchy of needs in a pyramid shape, with
basic needs at the bottom of the pyramid and more high-level, intangible needs
at the top. Person can only move on to addressing the higher-level needs when
their basic needs are adequately fulfilled.
1. Physiological needs: The first of the id-driven lower needs on Maslow's
hierarchy are physiological needs. These most basic human survivals needs
include food and water, sufficient rest, clothing and shelter, overall health,
and reproduction. Maslow states that these basic physiological needs must be
addressed before humans move on to the next level of fulfillment.
2. Safety needs: Next among the lower-level needs is safety. Safety needs
include protection from violence and theft, emotional stability and well-being,
health security, and financial security.
3. Love and belonging needs: The social needs on the third level of Maslow’s
hierarchy relate to human interaction and are the last of the so-called lower
needs. Among these needs are friendships and family bonds—both with biological
family (parents, siblings, children) and chosen family (spouses and partners).
Physical and emotional intimacy ranging from sexual relationships to intimate
emotional bonds are important to achieving a feeling of elevated kinship.
Additionally, membership in social groups contributes to meeting this need,
from belonging to a team of coworkers to forging an identity in a union, club,
or group of hobbyists.
4. Esteem needs: The higher needs, beginning with esteem, are ego-driven
needs. The primary elements of esteem are self-respect (the belief that you are
valuable and deserving of dignity) and self-esteem (confidence in your
potential for personal growth and accomplishments). Maslow specifically notes
that self-esteem can be broken into two types: esteem which is based on respect
and acknowledgment from others, and esteem which is based on your own
self-assessment. Self-confidence and independence stem from this latter type of
self-esteem.
5. Self-actualization needs: Self-actualization describes the fulfillment of your
full potential as a person. Sometimes called self-fulfillment needs,
self-actualization needs occupy the highest spot on Maslow's pyramid.
Self-actualization needs include education, skill development—the refining of
talents in areas such as music, athletics, design, cooking, and
gardening—caring for others, and broader goals like learning a new language,
traveling to new places, and winning awards.
Deficiency Needs
vs. Growth Needs on Maslow’s Hierarchy
Maslow referred to self-actualization as a “growth need,” and he
separated it from the lower four levels on his hierarchy, which he called
“deficiency needs.” According to his theory, if you fail to meet your
deficiency needs, you’ll experience harmful or unpleasant results. Conditions
ranging from illness and starvation up through loneliness and self-doubt are
the byproducts of unmet deficiency needs. By contrast, self-actualization needs
can make you happier, but you are not harmed when these needs go unfulfilled.
Thus, self-actualization needs only become a priority when the other four
foundational needs are met.

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