Question

Describe the five needs in Maslow’s hierarchy. Give examples of how individuals with each need might behave.

Answer 1

Maslow propounded need –hierarchy theory of motivation. According to this theory, human needs are of five kinds such as Physiological need, Safety need, Affection or Belongingness Need, Esteem need and Self Actualization needs. Maslow stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others.Maslow further categorized these five needs into two categories i.e. Lower level needs and Higher Level needs.According to Maslow once the lower level needs are satisfied , each individual tries to achieve higher level needs.

Maslow stated that Physiological needs, safety needs and Affection needs belongs to lower level needs and Esteem Needs and Self Actualization needs belongs to Higher Level needs.

Physiological needs are most basic needs which is to be satisfied at first before going ahead to achieve next need. Needs for food, cloth, shelter etc are physiological needs.

Safety or security needs are protection from elements, order, security, freedom from fear, law

Belongingness or Affection needs are needs for friendship, intimacy, trust and acceptance, receiving and giving love and affection.

Esteem Needs are of two categories such as 1) Esteem for oneself which may include dignity, achievement, mastery, independence and 2) the desire for reputation and respect from others which may includes status, prestige.

Self Actualization needs are realising personal potential,self-fulfillment,seeking personal growth

Maslow initially stated that individuals must satisfy lower level needs before progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. However later he stated that when a lower level need has been 'more or less' satisfied it will go away, and our activities become habitually directed towards meeting the next set of needs that we have yet to satisfy. These then become our salient needs. However, higher needs continue to be felt and may even become stronger once they have been engaged.