Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Hierarchy of Needs - STRENGTHS

- We are responsible for becoming the best possible person we can be. (Existentialism - we are responsible for giving our own life meaning) - Understanding human needs can help us understand the important role they play in shaping human behavior and contributing to personality development

What is the Hierarchy of Needs?

- it's a theory in psychology. it represents a 5 stage model of human needs. - he proposed this theory in 1943 after studying what he called exemplary people - Humans want to fulfill many physical, psychological, and social needs that are ranked in order of importance. - Maslow ranked needs into different "levels". - When the needs of one level are met, we automatically try to fulfill the needs of the next level. - At the highest level we achieve "Self - Actualization."

Level 5: Self Actualization

Description: He described self-actualization as the process of becoming "everything you are capable of becoming." It's achieving one's full potential. Examples: An artist who has never made a profit on his art, but he still paints because it is fulfilling and makes him happy.

Level 1: Physiological Needs

Description: consist of basic survival needs. Most of these needs we share with all other living things; some we share only with other animals. When these needs are satisfied, we feel strong, healthy and have maintained our physical well-being. Needs include: food, water, air, exercise, sleep. - the need to eat, drink, breathe or sleep. The moment we get enough of that and we feel awake and our bellies are full we get motivated by the next thing.

Hierarchy of Needs - WEAKNESSES

the Hierarchy of Needs cannot necessary apply to everybody because of different circumstances: The theory assumes that if the needs in one level are not met, the individual cannot move to the next level: Does this mean people who live in extreme poverty in the developing world and who struggle for basic survival needs are incapable of experiencing love and belonging? Maslow claims few people reach the self Actualization state. Is this true? Overall: The behaviour of human beings is too complex to be conceptualized and understood in a constructive order

Level 3: Belonging Needs

Description: consist of the need for both giving and receiving support, and feeling a sense of belonging. We are all humans and no matter how introverted an individual can be we all want and crave interaction with the world and people in it. (Both physical and emotional). Love and belonging needs are feeling belonged in a certain group/society and feeling love by being surrounded by people you love and people who love you such as family and friends. Needs include affection- in the form of touch (physical) and love (emotional), friendship, family sense of connection. Consequences: if affection is withheld from infants they can die. It is therefore important not to take these needs for granted. - at this stage, we seek to love and belonging. we desire to be close to family and friends, belong to a society, or join a gang. But, the moment we feel completely part of a group we already wish to be a little different than the rest.

Level 2: Security/Safety Needs

Description: consists of the need for protection from danger and freedom from fear. We need these needs met in order to function normally. When these needs are met we feel safe and trusting. Needs include various forms of security and access to immediate assistance. Examples: hospitals, fire and police departments, family protection (parental) - we look for shelter and safety. once we are satisfied and feel safe we have time to think about what we want next.

Level 4: Esteem Needs

Description: we require a sense of self-esteem and integrity. This allows us to feel good about ourselves and what we are doing with our lives. Can become physically or mentally ill if these needs are not met. When these needs are met we can feel confident and proud and socially relevant. - at stage 4 we look for esteem, self-confidence, and respect from our peers. we want to be someone if we have money we buy a fancy watch. if we have a brain we write or think or work a lot. Motivation to perform and compete is now at its highest. Students, sportsmen, and inventors excel. Armstrong even flew to the moon. - Only if we breathe and drink and eat and sleep enough and we feel safe and we are part of a group and still special only then can we reach level 5.