Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs consisting of physiological needs, safety needs, love needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs. He believed humans are motivated to fulfill lower level needs before progressing to higher level needs, starting with basic physiological needs and moving up to needs for love, esteem, and self-fulfillment. The hierarchy suggests humans are motivated to fulfill unsatisfied needs and will address higher level needs like belongingness and esteem only once lower level needs are satisfied.

1. Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs

2. What motivates humans?

Abraham Maslow believed humans are
motivated by unsatisfied needs.

When lower needs are satisfied, higher
needs can be addressed.

3. People are basically …

Trustworthy

Self-protecting

Self-governing

4. Five levels of needs





Physiological needs
Safety needs
Love needs
Esteem needs
Self-actualization needs

5. Physiological needs

These are basic needs: air, water, food,
sleep, sex.

When these are missing, we feel sick,
irritated, pain.

We are motivated to address them
quickly.

6. Safety needs

These needs address our security …
in a home, in a family, in employment.
When people are stuck at this level,
they often turn to religion -- looking
for guidance and support.

7. Love needs

Everyone has a desire to be loved, to
belong to a group, to be accepted.

We NEED to be NEEDED, or wanted by
someone else.

8. Esteem needs

These needs include a feeling of
competence and recognition.

We feel powerful when someone else
admires or respects our accomplishments.

9. Self-actualization needs

When you live up to your full potential,
you will have fulfilled the selfactualization level.

You have arrived!