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Maslow's Theory of Hierarchy of Needs
Maslow's Theory of Hierarchy of Needs
Hierarchy of Needs
Needs
Something that is necessary for an organism to
live a healthy life
Deficiency would cause a clear negative
outcome - deficiency or death
Can be Objective/Physical or Subjective
Objective needs - food, shelter, sleep
Subjective needs – affection, acceptance, self-
esteem
Ten Fundamental Human Needs
Protection
Idleness
affection
Creation
subsistenc
e
Understan
ding
transcend
ence Participati
on
freedom
Identity
The needs - Meaning
Need Meaning (having things)
subsistence food, shelter, work
protection social security, health systems, work
affection friendships, family, relationships with
nature
understanding literature, teachers, policies,
educational
participation responsibilities, duties, work, rights
leisure games, parties, peace of mind
creation abilities, skills, work, techniques
identity language, religions, work, customs,
values, norms
freedom equal rights
Abraham Maslow
Professor of Psychology
Columbia University
Original thinker
Predecessors focused on the abnormal
and the ill
Maslow focused on positive qualities of
people
Deficit
Needs
Physiological Needs
Physiological Needs
• Mostly, literal requirements for human survival
• If not met, the human body cannot function
• Metabolic needs – air, water, food, rest
• Clothing, shelter – needed by even animals
• Could be classified as basic animal needs
Safety Needs
Safety Needs
• Once physical needs are met, safety needs take
over
• Personal including emotional
• Health and well-being
• Financial, job security
• Safety of property against natural disasters,
calamities, wars, etc
• Law & order
Social Needs
Social Needs
• Need to love and be loved
• Need to feel a sense of belonging and
acceptance
• Small groups – clubs, office teams,
school/college houses
• Large groups – political parties, Sports teams,
facebook
Esteem Needs
Esteem Needs
• Need to be respected by others and in turn
respect them
• Sense of contribution, to feel self-valued, in
profession or hobby
• Lower - respect of others, the need for status,
recognition, fame, prestige, and attention
• Higher - self-respect, the need for strength,
competence, mastery, self-confidence,
independence and freedom
Self Actualization Needs
Self Actualization Needs
• What a man can be, he must be
• Intrinsic growth of what is already in a person
• Growth-motivated rather than deficiency-
motivated
• Cannot normally be reached until other lower
order needs are met
• Rarely happens - < 1%
• Acceptance of facts, spontaneous, focused on
problems outside self, without prejudice
Why do I need to know all this
Psychobabble?
Maslow’s Theory in Practice
in Management