Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory introduced in 1943 that outlines a five-tier model of human motivation, where individuals must satisfy lower-level basic needs before progressing to higher-level growth needs. These needs include physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization, with the ultimate goal being personal growth and fulfillment. The order of need fulfillment is flexible, allowing for individual differences and varying life circumstances.

1. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Hadeeqa Waleed
Educationist

2. Overview of Maslow theory
• Maslow first introduced his concept of a hierarchy of needs in
his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" and his
subsequent book Motivation and Personality. This hierarchy
suggests that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs
before moving on to other, more advanced needs.
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in
psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs,
often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.

3. • Maslow (1943) initially stated that individuals
must satisfy lower level deficit needs before
progressing on to meet higher level growth
needs. However, he later clarified that
satisfaction of a needs is not an “all-or-none”
phenomenon, admitting that his earlier
statements may have given “the false
impression that a need must be satisfied 100
percent before the next need emerges” (1987,
p. 69).

4. • Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is A theory of
psychology explaining
human motivation based on the pursuit of
different levels of needs. The theory states that
humans are motivated to fulfill their needs in A
hierarchical order. This order begins with the
most basic needs before moving on to more
advanced needs. The ultimate goal, according
to this theory, is to reach the fifth level of the
hierarchy: self-actualization.

6. • Physiological Needs
• Physiological needs are the lowest level
of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. They are
the most essential things a person needs
to survive. They include the need for
shelter, water, food, warmth, rest, and
health. A person’s motivation at this level
derives from their instinct to survive.

7. Safety Needs
• The second level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs consists of safety needs.
Safety, or security needs, relate to a person’s need to feel safe and secure
in their life and surroundings. Motivation comes from the need for law,
order, and protection from unpredictable and dangerous conditions.
• There are many examples of safety needs in modern society. To find
stability and security, a person must consider their physical safety. This
means seeking protection from the elements, violent conditions, or health
threats and sickness. Additionally, an individual needs economic safety to
live and thrive in modern societies. This refers to the need for job security,
stable income, and savings. One method of achieving economic safety is
to learn proper investment strategies.

8. Love And Belonging Needs
• The third level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is love
and belonging needs. Humans are social creatures
that crave interaction with others. This level of the
hierarchy outlines the need for friendship, intimacy,
family, and love. Humans have the need to give and
receive love; to feel like they belong in a group. When
deprived of these needs, individuals may experience
loneliness or depression.
•

9. Esteem Needs
• The fourth level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is esteem
needs. Esteem needs are related to a person’s need to gain
recognition, status, and feel respected. Once someone has
fulfilled their love and belonging needs, they seek to fulfill their
esteem needs.
• Maslow broke up esteem needs into two categories: the need
for respect from others and the need for respect from oneself.
Respect from others relates to achieving fame, prestige, and
recognition. Respect from oneself relates to dignity,
confidence, competence, independence, and freedom.
•

10. Self-actualization Need
• The fifth and final level of Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs is self-actualization
needs. Self-actualization relates to the
realization of an individual’s full potential.
At this level, people strive to become the
best that they possibly can be.

11. • The need for self-actualization can manifest in
different ways, such as:
1.Obtaining skills (e.g., financial modeling skills)
2.Continued education (e.g., online training
courses)
3.Utilizing skills, knowledge, and talents
4.Pursuing life dreams
5.Seeking happiness

12. •One person may strive to become the
best parent and everyone’s best
friend. Another person might aim to
become a millionaire and
philanthropist. Others may work
toward becoming a famous athlete. In
general, self-actualization is the
pursuit of personal growth.
•

13. • Deficiency Needs vs. Growth Needs
• Maslow believed that these needs are similar to instincts and play a
major role in motivating behavior.2Physiological, security, social,
and esteem needs are deficiency needs, which arise due to
deprivation. Satisfying these lower-level needs is important in order
to avoid unpleasant feelings or consequences.
• Maslow termed the highest level of the pyramid as growth needs.
These needs don't stem from a lack of something, but rather from a
desire to grow as a person.
• While the theory is generally portrayed as a fairly rigid hierarchy,
Maslow noted that the order in which these needs are fulfilled does
not always follow this standard progression. For example, he
noted that for some individuals, the need for self-esteem is more
important than the need for love. For others, the need for creative
fulfillment may supersede even the most basic needs.

14. Hierarchy of needs summary
• (A) Human Beings Are Motivated By A Hierarchy Of Needs.
• (B) Needs Are Organized In A Hierarchy Of Prepotency In
Which More Basic Needs Must Be More Or Less Met (Rather
Than All Or None) Prior To Higher Needs.
• (C) The Order Of Needs Is Not Rigid But Instead May Be
Flexible Based On External Circumstances Or Individual
Differences.
• (D) Most Behavior Is Multi-motivated, That Is, Simultaneously
Determined By More Than One Basic Need.