Have you ever heard about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs? It is a theory in psychology that was proposed by a man named Abraham Maslow in 1943. It focuses on a hierarchical approach to human motivation that is still used today. He proposes that there are five basic human needs and once these are fulfilled you have achieved all that you can be.
The five needs move from the bottom up and include:
- Physiological
- Safety and security
- Love and belonging
- Esteem
- Self-actualization
Satisfying these needs helps people feel better about themselves and motivates them towards growth. To learn more about Maslow’s system and ways to fulfill these needs, check out this video.
An article by the NIH suggests a different approach. It has been about 80 years since Maslow developed this theory. The NIH did research to support a revised approach, one more grounded towards current psychology and other questions brought on by researchers. Behavioral researchers may debate between using the classic approach and the evolution of humans needs with society.
Resources
Hierarchy of Needs. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.wichita.edu/services/mrc/OIR/Pedagogy/Theories/maslow.php
Kenrick, D. T., Griskevicius, V., Neuberg, S. L., & Schaller, M. (2010). Renovating the Pyramid of Needs: Contemporary Extensions Built Upon Ancient Foundations. Perspectives on Psychological Science : A Journal of the Association for Psychological Science, 5(3), 292–314. https://doi.org/10.1177/1745691610369469
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs—A Model for Supporting Your People Toward Self-Actualization. (n.d.). Retrieved April 10, 2023, from https://www.mindtools.com/a4denhh/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs
Sprouts (Director). (2017, January 5). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-4ithG_07Q