5 Levels Of Human Needs & Motivation

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is one of the eminent theories of motivation. It denotes that our actions are motivated by certain physiological needs. It is presented in the form of a pyramid of needs with the most basic at the bottom and complex ones at the top. The hierarchy suggests that people are more prone to accomplish their basic needs before progressing towards more advanced needs. While the existing theories focused mainly on problematic behaviors, Maslow’s focus leaned towards what made people happy and the things they do to achieve that target.

Maslow as a humanist believed that human beings have an inborn desire to be self-explored, to achieve the ultimate goal. Some basic needs have to be fulfilled such as food, safety, shelter, clothing, love, and self-esteem. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before the attainment of the higher needs. 

Maslows Pyramid is a five-stage model which can be divided into deficiency needs and growth needs. The first four stages are referred to as deficiency needs and the top of the hierarchy is known as growth needs or being needs. Deficiency needs or D-needs appear due to deprivation and are said to motivate people when they are unfulfilled. The motivation to attain these needs becomes stronger the longer the duration they are denied. When a deficit need is more or less satisfied our activities would be directed towards gaining the next set of needs that we are yet to attain. Deficiency needs or D-needs include physiological, security, social, and esteem needs, satisfying these needs is important to avoid vexatious thoughts. Then comes growth needs which help in the emotional and psychological alternate. Maslow has termed growth needs as the highest level of the pyramid. These needs help in the growth of a person. 

Maslow believed that needs play a major role in motivating behavior. There are five different levels of the hierarchy of needs, it starts from the lowest level known as physiological needs. PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS Physiological needs play a vital role in our survival and are fairly evident in one’s life. A few examples of physiological needs are food, water, breathing. In addition to the basic needs physiological needs also contain needs such as proper shelter and clothing. In addition to these requirements, Maslow has included sexual reproduction in this level of hierarchy as well, as it is subsequently essential to the survival and propagation of the species. SECURITY AND SAFETY NEEDS The needs start to become a little more complex from the second level of Maslow’s Sign Up Login March 20, 2022 hierarchy. The level shows the primary importance of the secured feeling and safety needs. At a point in life, people urge to bring control and order into their lives. The need for safety and security plays a key role here, which in turn contributes to the development of behaviors. Some of the safety and security needs comprise financial security, health and wellness, and safety against accidents and injuries. There are certain examples; from finding a job, being financially stable to moving into a new neighborhood are chapters of security and safety needs. Physiological needs and security and safety needs make the foundation of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and are referred to as basic needs. SOCIAL NEEDS The feeling of belongingness, acceptance, and love comprises the social needs of Maslow’s hierarchy. The need for emotional companionship helps human beings to get along with life. The existence of friendships, romantic attachments, family, social groups, and community groups are some parts that would satisfy social needs. In order to keep away from problems such as loneliness, depression, and anxiety, it is necessary for people to feel loved and accepted bothers. Relationships with friends, family and beloved ones play a significant role in personal development. Involvement with social groups, sports teams, and other group activities adds up equally to this development. ESTEEM NEEDS Once the bottom three levels of needs are met, the esteem needs begin to play an essential role in shaping someone emotionally and mentally. The need for appreciation and respect is the next brick of Maslow’s hierarchy. The word appreciation appears to be small, but it can do wonders if used appropriately. It motivates people to keep one more step ahead in life. At this level, it becomes increasingly important to obtain the respect and appreciation of others. In addition to the need for appreciation and accomplishment, esteem needs include things such as self-esteem and personal worth. The sense of doing something for the world, a little contribution everyday which makes the people believe that they are valued. When esteem needs are satisfied by achieving self-esteem and recognition from others, people tend to feel confident in their abilities. On the other lack of self-esteem develops feelings of inferiority. Esteem and social levels of the hierarchy make up psychological needs. SELF-ACTUALIZATION NEEDS The last and the topmost brick which completes the pyramid is self-actualization needs. The process of self-awareness, trying to learn oneself, more concerned with personal growth and lesser concern towards the opinions of others. The full usage of one’s talent leads to the fulfillment of themselves and the urge to do the best develops. The progression people make is effortlessly conveyed by Maslow’s pyramid. The lowest level of the pyramid carries the basic needs, while the most complex ones are at the top. The bottom of the pyramid shows basic physical requirements, including the need for food, water, shelter, and sleep. Once the basic needs are met people move on to the next level of the hierarchy of needs, which is the need for safety and security. As we move up the ladder the needs tend to change from physiological needs to psychological needs and soon the need for love, friendship and intimacy become paramount. While we climb further the pyramid, the need for self-esteem and feelings of accomplishment takes the lead. The emphasis laid on self-actualization shows its importance in the process of growing and blooming as a person in order to achieve individual prospects. Maslow’s Pyramid or Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has become widely popular and acceptable. With acceptance comes criticisms that say that needs don’t follow a particular hierarchy and the theory is difficult to put to test. Regardless of the criticisms, Maslow’s pyramid is an integral shift in psychology. Rather than emphasizing abnormal behavior, Maslow focused more on the development of healthy individuals. Maslow’s theory proves to be right in many circumstances, when put to test it said that needs were firmly correlated with happiness. The attainment of self-actualization and social needs were proven to be important even though most of the basic needs were unmet. Maslow’s pyramid excels in motivating people and guiding their thoughts on a different path. The basis of the theory explains that we as human beings are motivated by our needs. Adding on, if some of our important needs are unattained, we may feel a pause in our life. This goes on to explain why we feel stuck and unmotivated. It’s possible that our fundamental needs are not met which leads to the prevention of us being the beat version of ourselves. In order to change this, we should be looking at what we need, then finding a way to get it.