MASLOW'S NEED HIERARCHY THEORY

 

The term 'Motivation' has been defined by many psychologists throughout the timeline. It can be considered as something which forces or drives, elicits and zests an individual to enact or response in a certain way at a definite time for reaching a determined goal or motive.

According to Ciccarelli and White motivation is "the process by which activities are started, directed and continued so that physical or psychological needs or wants are met".

To lucidly understand the concept of motivation one must go through different theories concerning the urges, necessities, inclinations and aspirations of beings.

Abraham Maslow originated the first humanistic theory based on the hierarchy of needs (1943, 1987). The other names for the theory are Humanistic theory, Transpersonal theory, Holistic-dynamic theory, The 3rd force in Psychology, the 4th force in Personality, Need theory and Self-actualization theory.

This particular theory on the zone of motivation is based on the ladder of needs including both the fundamental needs or needs for survival, as well as, the growth needs. The stages of need hierarchy theory are as follows:

a) PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS: The very crude for human survival, physiological need includes the basics like hunger, thirst, sex, fatigue etc. These are the sole needs which can be completely satisfied or overly satisfied and they are recurring in nature.

b) SAFETY NEEDS: This is to feel safe and secure both in terms of physical and psychological factors. The requirement for shelter to protect oneself from any environmental threats or having a financial security - both gives the sense of being safe.

c) BELONGINGNESS AND LOVE NEEDS: We all know that human beings are social animals, we cannot live alone. This particular need concentrates on the giving and receiving of love. To be accepted by the people present in the surrounding, to be loved and to be a part of the social groups or to belong is the next on the ladder after one satisfies safety needs.

d) ESTEEM NEEDS: Self-esteem is an individual's own feeling of worth and confidence. More or less every person wants to achieve, gain approval and recognition, which fulfills their need for esteem. It is mainly based on true competence and not on others' opinions.

e) SELF-ACTUALIZATION: According to Maslow, "the point that is seldom reached at which people have sufficiently satisfied the lower needs and achieved their full human potential". Individuals who respect and survives on depending upon the B-values like truth, beauty, justice and other such factors, shows the trait of self-actualization. This is the need to discover self-fulfillment and to reach one's fullest potential.

The other needs which were later added to this theory were - Cognitive needs, Aesthetic needs and Transcendence needs.

 

References:

Quinton, S. (2015). Saundra K. Ciccarelli and J. Noland White, Psychology (/Global Edition).