2. • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a concept, which highlights the idea that
there are different stages to acquiring “betterment” or well-being.
• So, if the most basic needs of a human body and mind are not obtained, it is
a struggle to go any further to fulfil the next state of humanity.
• Abraham Maslow came about this concept when he studied the possessions
of personality and social activity in “intelligent” specimens. People such as
Albert Einstein, for example, were far more interesting subjects than
commonly studied people with mental illnesses etc. He found an interest in
the fundamental basics of how someone could have achieved such
betterment.
• The pyramid of needs shows each level which needs to be comfortably met
to get to this level.
3. PHYSIOLOGICAL:
We must have the basics. Breath, Food, Water, Sleep, Homeostasis
(comfort & safety), Excretion and Sex – to be able to live, and use our
bodies and minds at their least demanding level.
Maslow states:
Only when all of these are comfortably obtained and managed, only
then will you be able to gain anything further up his pyramid of
These are the fundamentals; a human is intelligent, but barely
at this stage.
4. SAFETY:
There should be security for everything we hold valuable to us to be
comfortable, and therefore capable of bigger things.
Without the comfort that your family will be safe, you are earning, you can
provide for others, you have shelter, and you are healthy – you couldn’t do
anything else that didn’t involve securing those.
Maslow also includes morality, which states that your ability to know right
wrong is secured – you are a good person, morally. This is important because
otherwise you would have issues with social interaction, reasonable opinion,
personality and love. Mainly because morality is a simple, but valuable asset.
5. LOVE/BELONGING:
Very different from pure ‘sex’, from the first level; love is a concept that only
morally strong and intelligent beings can share – say what you will. However,
it’s an advanced and confusing thing that takes a lot to gain.
Maslow is making the point that this is needed; i.e. it is at some stage a
necessity for humans who wish to better themselves. People need to feel
It is known that Einstein himself was quite the expert of sexual intimacy, and
is widely regarded as having one of the greatest minds ever to be.
Also family and friendships are fundamental, because both lead to happiness
and the brain works faster and easier with endorphins, and general joy.
6. ESTEEM:
One of the most important levels, on Maslow’s pyramid is the idea that we
self-esteem to be able to progress in complex identity.
Self-esteem, confidence, respect from others, respect for others – are all
categorically important for people to be able to better themselves. If they
“believe in themselves” and have any self respect or that from people around
them, they won’t be able to achieve betterment.
Occasionally, when things fail further down in the pyramid, i.e. Love,
Employment, Family or Health - esteem can be lost. A feeling of failure can
adopted.
7. SELF-ACTUALIZATION:
Maslow states that this level holds the highest and most advanced variety of
needs that intelligent humans are required to procure.
Morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice and
acceptance of facts are all incredibly important assets to be able to think in a
non-biased way, to be accepting and interested by conflicting ideas and
challenges.
To be able to have all these required needs, people have more time to think
differently, as opposed to thinking in a generic and unhealthy way.