Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory that categorizes human needs in order of importance, with physiological needs at the base and self-actualization at the top. The theory includes five levels, with the bottom four referred to as “deficiency needs” and the fifth level involving personal development and growth. Maslow later added a sixth level, self-transcendence, which is often not included in modern representations of the hierarchy.
The hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory that is involved with human motivation. It was proposed by Abraham Maslow, an American psychologist, in 1943. Maslow’s research on motivation was based on intelligent, psychologically stable individuals; he has decided to choose the smartest, most successful, and healthiest people possible as the subjects of his search for him. The hierarchy of needs itself represents the needs people experience in order of importance; it is often depicted as a pyramid with the most essential needs at its base.
The bottom four levels of the pyramid representation of the hierarchy are referred to as “deficiency needs,” as an individual suffers physically or psychologically if they are not met. Physiological needs form the first level after all and include the basic needs that sustain life and lead to procreation. Physiological needs include breathing, eating and sleeping. In a healthy individual, according to Maslow, all other needs should be subordinated to the basic physiological needs.
The second level of the hierarchy of needs includes the needs for safety and security. The desire for health, stable employment, protection from others and the environment, and financial stability are all considered security needs. Social needs constitute the third level of the hierarchy; friendship, acceptance, family and sexual intimacy are all considered social needs. Social needs are usually subordinated to safety and security needs, which are subordinated to physiological needs.
Self worth and esteem is the fourth level of the hierarchy of needs. People want to feel important and valued, and generally feel bad if they don’t. Self-esteem and self-respect are extremely important aspects of this level; without them, a healthy individual cannot progress beyond the needs of deficiency to the fifth and final level of the Hierarch.
The fifth level of the hierarchy is referred to as self-actualization and involves personal development, growth and purpose. When someone has all of their other needs met, they are free to pursue their fullest potential and work to develop themselves to the fullest degree possible without worrying about things like food, insurance, adjustment, and feeling important. Only when the needs of the deficiency have been met can one continuously work towards self-actualization.
Later in his life, Maslow explained a final level of the hierarchy of needs that is often not included in modern representations of the hierarchy. He referred to this level as self-transcendence. Self-transcendence is a state of insight and spiritual enlightenment that is often considered too unscientific to be included in his serious psychological work.
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