MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS - ZEHEWA SWADA A, II B.Sc PSYCHOLOGY (2024 - 2025)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs
Zehewa Swada A,  II B.Sc Psychology (2024 - 2025)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

Do you ever feel like you're demotivated and you don't have the drive to work and achieve your desired goals ? This is because of the ignorance of the basic needs of our lives. We might feel these needs to be too basic but these basic needs do affect our motivation and the desire to achieve our goals. If either of these basic needs from the hierarchy isn't met then the drive and the motivation of the individuals falters hence resulting in self doubt and reduced self esteem.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory of psychology explaining human motivation based on the pursuit of different levels of needs. The theory states that humans are motivated to fulfill their needs in a hierarchical order. This order begins with the most basic needs before moving on to more advanced needs. The ultimate goal, according to this theory, is to reach the fifth level of the hierarchy: self-actualization.

Overview of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposing that human beings have different levels of needs, which must be fulfilled in a particular order for a person to reach their full potential.

Five levels of needs

Physiological needs (basic needs)

Safety needs (security needs)

Love and belonging needs (social needs)

Esteem-needs (self-respect needs)

Self actualization needs (personal growth needs)

Physiological needs

Physiological needs are the lowest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. They are the most essential things a person needs to survive. They include the need for shelter, water, food, warmth, rest, and health. A person’s motivation at this level derives from their instinct to survive.

Safety needs

The second level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs consists of safety needs. Safety, or security needs, relate to a person’s need to feel safe and secure in their life and surroundings. Motivation comes from the need for law, order, and protection from unpredictable and dangerous conditions.

Love and belonging needs

The third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is love and belonging needs. Humans are social creatures that crave interaction with others. This level of the hierarchy outlines the need for friendship, intimacy, family, and love. Humans have the need to give and receive love, to feel like they belong in a group. When deprived of these needs, individuals may experience loneliness or depression.

Esteem needs

The fourth level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is esteem needs. Esteem needs are related to a person’s need to gain recognition, status, and feel respected. Once someone has fulfilled their love and belonging needs, they seek to fulfill their esteem needs.

Self actualization needs

The fifth and final level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is self-actualization needs. Self-actualization relates to the realization of an individual’s full potential. At this level, people strive to become the best that they possibly can be.

Conclusion

The conclusion of the Hierarchy of needs theory are that human needs can be categorized into a series of hierarchical levels, including physiological needs, safety needs, belongingness and love needs, esteem needs, self-actualization needs. When a human being ascends the levels of the hierarchy having fulfilled the needs in the hierarchy, one may eventually achieve self-actualization.