Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology
comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as
hierarchical levels within a pyramid. From the bottom of the hierarchy
upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and clothing), safety (job
security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and self-
actualization. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied
before individuals can attend to needs higher up. This five-stage
model can be divided into deficiency needs and growth needs. The
first four levels are often referred to as deficiency needs (
D-needs
),
and the top level is known as growth or being needs (
B-needs
).
Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are said to motivate
people when they are not met. Also, the motivation to fulfill such
needs will get stronger the longer the period they are denied. For
example, the longer a person goes without food, the hungrier they
will become. Maslow (1943) initially stated that individuals must
satisfy lower-level deficit needs before progressing on to meet higher
level growth needs. However, he later clarified that satisfaction of a
needs is not an “all-or-none” phenomenon, admitting that his earlier
statements may have given “the false impression that a need must be
satisfied 100 percent before the next need emerges”. When a deficit
need has been 'more or less' satisfied it will disappear, 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, growth needs continue to be felt and may even
become stronger once they have been engaged. Sometimes when
working with those in substance abuse treatment programs there
may be other mental health issues that someone may be dealing with
that will be uncovered because of sobriety. It is always recommended
that addiction specialists treat the substance abuse issues first then
work on whatever else need to be worked on. This goes into
conjunction with the hierarchy of needs . Please see below for the list
of needs
The original hierarchy of needs five-stage model includes:
Maslow (1943, 1954) stated that people are motivated to achieve
certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others.
Our most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the first
thing that motivates our behavior. Once that level is fulfilled the next
level up is what motivates us, and so on.
1. Physiological needs - these are biological requirements for human
survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep.
If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function
optimally. Maslow considered physiological needs the most important
as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met.
2. Safety needs - once an individual’s physiological needs are
satisfied, the needs for security and safety become salient. People
want to experience order, predictability and control in their lives.
These needs can be fulfilled by the family and society (e.g. police,
schools, business and medical care).
For example, emotional security, financial security (e.g. employment,
social welfare), law and order, freedom from fear, social stability,
property, health and wellbeing (e.g. safety against accidents and
injury).
3. Love and belongingness needs - after physiological and safety
needs have been fulfilled, the third level of human needs is social and
involves feelings of belongingness. Belongingness refers to a human
emotional need for interpersonal relationships, affiliating,
connectedness, and being part of a group. Examples of belongingness
needs include friendship, intimacy, trust, and acceptance, receiving
and giving affection, and love.
4. Esteem needs are the fourth level in Maslow’s hierarchy and
include self-worth, accomplishment and respect. Maslow classified
esteem needs into two categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity,
achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the desire for
reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige).
Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most
important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem
or dignity.
5. Self-actualization needs are the highest level in Maslow's
hierarchy, and refer to the realization of a person's potential, self-
fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. Maslow
(1943) describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that
one can, to become the most that one can be.
