Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow developed his concept of Hierarchy of Needs in 1943. It was a theory in psychology that he called a "Theory of Human Motivation" he demonstrated this theory on a five tier pyramid. The tiers 1-4 he designated as deficiency needs. D-needs motivate people when the needs are not met and the longer they aren't met the more they are wanted. An example would be-the longer food is kept from us the hungrier we get and the more we want food. In the theory each level or tiers need to be satisfied before we can move on to the next tier. Tier 5 top level - growth or being needs or B-needs.
Maslow insisted each of us have the capabilities to move to the top level of self-actualization but the majority of us won't reach it because of disruptions in the lower tiers. Life has a way of getting in the way of life. People lose their Jobe, get divorces, get sick and suffer family upheavals. We tend to move back and forth between levels. Maslow predicted that 1 in 100 people would become fully self-actualized. To the way of Maslow's thinking people were "always becoming, they never remained static".
Self-Actualization is a process of our desire for self fulfillment, of reaching the state of a happy ever after. In 1962 Maslow refers to self-actualization as our personal growth that is being discovered throughout our lives. In self-actualization we come to understand and find the meaning of life that is important to us. We are all unique individuals so each of us has a journey that takes us in different directions. Some peoples self-actualization can be through doing art, creating music, writing, sports, academics, or business.
In 1970 Maslow studied people he considered to be self-actualized. People like Abraham Lincoln and Albert Einstein. He came up with 15 characteristics they shared. We accept ourselves for who and what we are, we become problem-centered not self-centred, we are able to look at life objectively and concern ourselves with the welfare of humanity, we experience life like a child, we can't be bothered with people who are fake, dishonest, self absorbed, unethical and judgemental.
"Self-actualization is a matter of degree" because as we all know there are no perfect people. Maslow 1970.
Tier 1 - Biological and physiological needs - Air, Food, Drink, Shelter, Warmth, Sex, Sleep.
Tier 2 - Safety needs - Protection from the Elements, Security, Order, Law, Stability, Freedom from Fear.
Tier 3 - Love and Belonging needs - Friendship, Intimacy, Trust, Acceptance, Receiving and Giving Affection and Love, Affiliating, Being part of a Group, ( Family, Friends, Work).
Tier 4 - Esteem needs - Achievement, Mastery, Independence, Status, Respect from Others.
Tier 5 - Self-Actualization needs - Realizing Personal Potential, Self fulfillment, Seeking Personal Growth and Peak Experiences.Cognitive needs - Knowledge and Understanding, Curiosity, Exploration, Need for Meaning and Predictability.
Recent Comments
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Thanks for the share Ann, I often think about this theory in terms of my own life, especially if I feel down. It is an indicator of where am I in terms of human/my needs.
Hi, Harvey, it's a theory that I find interesting. Old one but a good one. Thanks for the comments. All the best.
Ann
Have known about Marlow's theory for years as my background is Psychology---from his theory came Transactional Analysis and some other forms of therapy
Hi, Davida, it's been around for quite a while. I really find it interesting. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. All the best.
Ann
Hi, Gautam, I love his theory too. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. All the best.
Ann
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Thanks for the share. If we just dig a lot we can find time based theory that has stood the tesy of time. I love Socrotes.
but thats logical. HEHE
:) Heather
Hi, Heather, thanks so much for stopping by to give the post a read. All the best to you.
Ann
Thank you.
:) Heather