Did you know that Maslow developed the theory of the Hierarchy of Needs which suggests human needs are arranged in a pyramid with five levels?
The first level of needs is the physical/physiological needs, which includes water, food, shelter, clothing, and rest. These needs are fundamental for survival and they must be before any other needs.
The second level is safety needs, people need to feel safe from physical danger, and they require job security to feel secure.
The third level is social needs. Humans are social animals and require social interaction and acceptance. People want to be accepted by others, feel loved and trusted. They need friends and to belong to a group where social activities can be shared and enjoyed together.
The fourth level is esteem needs, which relate to an individual’s need for self-respect and recognition from others. People want to be respected, have their achievements recognised by others.
The highest level of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is self-actualisation. This level involves the accomplishment of an individual’s potential, achieving personal growth. It is the point at which a person becomes everything they are capable of being, reaching their full potential.
Despite the significance of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, there are also limitations to this theory of motivation:
● Identify how much of each need has been met.
● Money can also satisfy esteem needs,
● Not everyone has the same needs
● Self-actualization is rarely achieved.
Giada Schivazappa, 3G
