Need is a desire or requirement that compels action to get
satisfaction. The need of the people never ends. When the basic
needs are satisfied, people will move to higher level needs.
Need hierarchy theory was proposed by Abraham Maslow.This theory
proposes that there is a hierarchy of five levels of needs within
each individual. The following are the five needs in the hierarchy.
The needs starting from the basic level are:
- Physiological needs : These are the basic
needs of an individual. These are needs for food, water, clothing
and shelter. Physiological needs are the needs for basic amenities
of life.
- Safety needs : Once the physiological needs
are fulfilled, people look for safety needs. These include physical
safety, environmental protection, job security, financial security
etc.
- Social needs : Next are social needs. These
include the need for love, affection, care, friendship etc
- Esteem needs : After fulfilling social needs,
people seek for esteem needs. People want recognition, power,
status, attention and admiration in the society.
- Self-actualization need : This need is the top
level need in the hierarchy of needs of an individual. When all the
lower level needs are fulfilled, people show the urge to become
what they are capable of becoming. Example self fulfillment,
seeking for peak experiences etc