Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Introduction

• Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory.
• Suggests human behavior is motivated by a hierarchy of psychological needs.
• Primary question: What motivates human behavior?

Categories of Human Needs

1. Physiological Needs

   • Basic physical needs: food, water, sleep.
   • Essential for survival and prioritized if unmet.
   • Includes body's homeostasis (e.g., maintaining body temperature).

2. Safety Needs

   • Needs for a safe environment.
   • Evident from childhood, important in emergencies.
   • Security reflected in preferences for familiar, insurances, savings.

3. Love and Belonging Needs

   • Involves feeling loved and accepted in relationships and social groups.
   • Encompasses both giving and receiving love.
   • Social connections are linked to better health; isolation can harm well-being.

4. Esteem Needs

   • Desire to feel good about oneself.
   • Two components: self-confidence and recognition by others.
   • Fulfillment leads to confidence; lack leads to inferiority feelings.

5. Self-Actualization Needs

   • Feeling fulfilled and living up to potential.
   • Unique to the individual; different paths for different people.
   • Examples include historical figures like Lincoln and Einstein.

Progression and Additional Ideas

• Prerequisites for need fulfillment include freedom and a just society.
• Learning is an innate need and helps fulfill other needs.
• Needs don't need full satisfaction for the next to emerge.
• Behaviors can satisfy multiple needs simultaneously.

Criticisms of Maslow's Theory

• Popular but criticized in psychology, education, and business.
• Main Criticisms:
  • Needs don't strictly follow a hierarchical order.
  • Difficult to test scientifically, especially self-actualization.
• Empirical support is limited and criticized for limited research sample.