HR Performance Issues and Motivation

Abraham Maslow was born in 1908 in Brooklyn, New York. Maslow was educated in the field of Behavioral Psychology. Maslow is widely known for his Hierarchy of Needs Theory. Students in many disciplines, including psychology, sociology, and management, study his theories. Maslow advocated full potential (he terms it self-actualization) is not possible if the person has unsatisfied basic needs.

Maslow argued that growth and development occur in small steps through choices made during the lifespan. Children who feel safe will take small risks toward growth. Anxiety and happiness occur during both safety and growth. More growth will occur when happiness outweighs the fear and confusion caused by taking risks (Maslow, 1954). Humans have an innate avoidance to fear and will only take steps towards growth when fear is minimized.

It is not possible to force growth and development. Growth is encouraged, facilitated, and possible in the right situation of safety and security. According to Maslow, when basic needs are threatened, regression will occur (Maslow, 1968). Human cognitive growth will not continue in environments where safety is threatened. When given a choice between growth and safety, the choice will usually be for safety (Maslow, 1954).

Growth occurs in the following conditions (Maslow, 1954): Growth must be attractive, produce happiness, and delight in the person. Growth fears are reduced or eliminated.

The safety of regression is reduced, minimized, or When unattractive. maximization of fear of safety, regression, and defense mechanisms occur. The final goal of Maslow’s hierarchy is self-actualization. Maslow believed that only 2% of all humans were self-actualized (Maslow, 1954). He also argued that young people were not capable of achieving this goal because it was through the maturation process that actualization occurred. Becoming self-actualized is to realize all potential, fulfill personal goals and internal aspirations.

Maslow argued that people must do what they were destined to do, and behave how they were meant to behave, or restlessness will occur within them (Maslow, 1954). The restlessness is the desire to self-actualize. As with all the other stages, domination of behavior occurs until the need is satisfied.

Maslow explained that people would pass through different stages during the lifespan. One does not stay in the self-actualize or esteem stage forever. For example, crisis or emergencies could force regression to the safety or physiological stage. When fulfillment of those needs occurs, the person will grow back to the social stage. The stages are fluid and changing as life events affect the individual.

Maslow, A. (1954). Motivation and Personality (3rd Ed.). New York: Longman, Inc.