Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist. Maslow argued that every person has a hierarchy of needs that must be satisfied. These needs range from basic physiological requirements to love, esteem, and, finally, self-actualization. As each need(level in the pyramid) is satisfied, the next higher level in the emotional hierarchy dominates conscious functioning. Maslow believed that truly healthy people were self-actualizers because they satisfied the highest psychological needs, fully integrating the components of their personality, or self.
There are five levels of the needs pyramid. The first level to be fulfilled is:
1. Physiological Needs
Physiological needs are the first level described by Maslow as “Basic” needs. They are biological and physical requirements such as breathing, food, water, warmth, and rest. We cannot move up to the next basic level of needs until this level is fulfilled, because we cannot focus on anything else. Think about when you are starving. Even your stomach starts to talk. What about when you’re dehydrated, freezing, or dead tired? Advancing isn’t possible when you are busy worrying about survival.
After you have fulfilled your basic physiological needs you can move onto the next level in the needs pyramid, which is:
2. Safety Needs
At this level people are searching for safety and security, through order, predictability, and control. This could be physical safety, having a home or roof over our heads, having employment, a secure income and benefits, our health. Without the fulfillment of these needs we feel insecure and unprotected.
When humans feel safe and secure it is then time to move into the third level:
3. Love and Belonging
During the phase humans are motivated by relationships and intimacy. The need for interpersonal relationships motivates behavior. We focus on family relationships, friendships, and sexual intimacy. When we feel as though we are secure(physiological) and we can contribute(safety), we tend to look for others who are the same. We start to value what a group, clan, or tribe could do for our well being, and if we do not fulfill these needs we feel depressed and lonely. After we have our basic community built we are in need of a new motivation. The next level to motivate us is the:
Esteem Needs
Maslow classified the esteem level into two categories:
- Esteem for oneself (self esteem, dignity, achievement, mastery, independence)
- The desire for reputation or respect from others (status, prestige, respect, recognition).
Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity. The final level of the pyramid is:
Self Actualization Needs
This is the highest level in Maslow’s Hierarchy. You should wait to enter when all the needs below are fulfilled.
- Self Fulfillment
- Peak Performance
- Personal Achievement
We tend to be more creative and spontaneous during this stage. We also focus on problem solving and improvement. The mind is looking to become the best it can be and focuses on accomplishing everything it possibly can at this level. At this level we have a grounded sense of being, satisfaction, and gratitude, so we are more likely to start contributing to others.
Take Away
Figuring out who you are and what you can achieve is not possible until you are willing to fulfill the levels of the pyramid. You may cruise through each level. However, if you have gaps in the first couple levels then you will struggle greatly with finding friends and your life’s purpose. Here is an example. Imagine you have a good job and are making money, but you are not saving and budgeting. You may feel fine, but you are not in control of your finances. If you were to lose that job then you would start right back at level 1 worrying about where you will be getting your next meal. Until you control your finances and have your financial needs fulfilled, you will not be able to self actualize and contribute to a greater good. Also, if you have control over your finances you will not be working for a paycheck. You will be able to work for your passion and get paid for it. No employer will be able to control your life. Then you can focus on relationships. However, if your health is not in check(which is part of the safety and security level) then you will not be ready to love someone else. So, take your time. Build a solid foundation, and then move on up to the higher level of needs.
