Question

Describe and define Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Include in each level how it affects the other level with a person’s motivation. Then compare Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with the comparison of Utilitarianism vs hedonic products in fulfilling needs and wants.

Answer 1

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational psychological theory describing different needs that motivate human behaviour. This theory was proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943 and has five strata of needs as per imporatnce in a pyramid. Maslow stated that human beings are always motivated to achieve certain needs and certain needs take precedence over certain other needs depending upon the level of motivation and requirement of a particular human being.

5.	Self Actualization (attaining full potetial, honing best creative skills) desire to become everything one is capable of.
4.	Esteem Needs (Self fulfiment, self pride)- (1) Esteem for oneself e.g dignity, independence, achievement (2) Desire of respect from others (pride, status in society)
3.	Belonginess and Love Needs (To be loved, cared, friends, relationships, family, trust, acceptance)
2.	Safety Needs (Security, Saftey, no fear, peace)
1.	Psychological Needs (Food, Water, sleep, breathe, shelter, warmth)

The above table may be read as a pyramid with each layer at the bottom very wide having lots of basic needs and as one goes up the pyramid needs get customised. The first four levels in the pyramid are known as DEFECIENCY NEEDS as these are basic needs which when not fulfilled create a depreviation feeling. The top most strata is the BASIC NEEDS which is the growth needs of an individual who aspires to grow in life.

Each level is a successor of its predecessor level:- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a five layered pyramid where each level houses various FUNDAMENTAL & EXCLUSIVE NEEDS of Human Behaviour. In the base layer the most fundamental needs i.e food, drink, air are met. It is common for all humans and human beings motivate each other to fulfill these basic needs of human existence.

Next is the Safety needs. Having established ones fundamental needs we humans look for safety for co-habilitation, safety, security of house etc.

Once accomplished humans motivate each other to move to next level of Love and Belongingness needs where family, relation, love, trust is achieved.  

Having established family and relationship needs people motivate themselves to go to career achievement, dignity and status in society. This is the advanced stage of working towards achieving once dreams, aspirations.

The final stage is Self Actualization where job satisfaction, creative desires, achievement. Each strata is interlinked and inter motivated levels of human existence.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs	Utilitarian vs Hedonic products of needs & wants
This theory emphasises on the needs- Defeciency and Growth that are motivated by huma behaviour for once existence.	UTILITARIAN need means a motivation to achieve some functional benefits and HEDONIC is an intangible desire motivated by fantasies. These are the two types of needs that motivation satisfies: HEDONIC Needs emphasises on subjective and intangible attributes UTILITARIAN: emphasises on objective and more tangible attributes of a product/service/feature.