{"id":2504,"date":"2016-11-08T21:35:33","date_gmt":"2016-11-08T21:35:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/?post_type=chapter&#038;p=2504"},"modified":"2024-05-17T15:08:29","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T15:08:29","slug":"maslows-hierarchy-of-needs","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/chapter\/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs\/","title":{"raw":"Maslow\u2019s Hierarchy of Needs","rendered":"Maslow\u2019s Hierarchy of Needs"},"content":{"raw":"<div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Explain the basic concepts associated with Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<section data-depth=\"1\"><section data-depth=\"2\"><\/section><section data-depth=\"2\">\r\n<p data-type=\"title\">While the theories of motivation described earlier relate to basic biological drives, individual characteristics, or social contexts, Abraham Maslow (1943) proposed a hierarchy of needs that spans the spectrum of motives ranging from the biological to the individual to the social. These needs are often depicted as a pyramid (Figure 1).<\/p>\r\n\r\n<figure>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"425\"]<img class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224934\/CNX_Psych_10_01_Maslow.jpg\" alt=\"A triangle is divided vertically into five sections with corresponding labels inside and outside of the triangle for each section. From top to bottom, the triangle's sections are labeled: \u201cself-actualization\u201d corresponds to \u201cInner fulfillment\u201d \u201cesteem\u201d corresponds to \u201cSelf-worth, accomplishment, confidence\u201d; \u201csocial\u201d corresponds to \u201cFamily, friendship, intimacy, belonging\u201d\u2019 \u201csecurity\u201d corresponds to \u201cSafety, employment, assets\u201d; \u201c\u201cphysiological\u201d corresponds to \u201cFood, water, shelter, warmth.\u201d\" width=\"425\" height=\"485\" data-media-type=\"image\/jpeg\" \/> <strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs is illustrated here. In some versions of the pyramid, cognitive and aesthetic needs are also included between esteem and self-actualization. Others include another tier at the top of the pyramid for self-transcendence.[\/caption]<\/figure>\r\nAt the base of the pyramid are all of the physiological needs that are necessary for survival. These are followed by basic needs for security and safety, the need to be loved and to have a sense of belonging, and the need to have self-worth and confidence. The top tier of the pyramid is self-actualization, which is a need that essentially equates to achieving one\u2019s full potential, and it can only be realized when needs lower on the pyramid have been met. To Maslow and humanistic theorists, self-actualization reflects the humanistic emphasis on positive aspects of human nature. Maslow suggested that this is an ongoing, life-long process and that only a small percentage of people actually achieve a self-actualized state (Francis &amp; Kritsonis, 2006; Maslow, 1943).\r\n\r\nAccording to Maslow (1943), one must satisfy lower-level needs before addressing those needs that occur higher in the pyramid. So, for example, if someone is struggling to find enough food to meet his nutritional requirements, it is quite unlikely that he would spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about whether others viewed him as a good person or not. Instead, all of his energies would be geared toward finding something to eat. However, it should be pointed out that Maslow\u2019s theory has been criticized for its subjective nature and its inability to account for phenomena that occur in the real world (Leonard, 1982). Other research has more recently addressed that late in life, Maslow proposed a self-transcendence level above self-actualization\u2014to represent striving for meaning and purpose beyond the concerns of oneself (Koltko-Rivera, 2006). For example, people sometimes make self-sacrifices in order to make a political statement or in an attempt to improve the conditions of others. Mohandas K. Gandhi, a world-renowned advocate for independence through nonviolent protest, on several occasions went on hunger strikes to protest a particular situation. People may starve themselves or otherwise put themselves in danger displaying higher-level motives beyond their own needs.\r\n<div data-type=\"note\" data-label=\"Link to Learning\">\r\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\r\n<h3>Link to Learning<\/h3>\r\nCheck out this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisc-online.com\/learn\/social-science\/psychology\/i2p401\/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-exercise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">interactive exercise<\/a> that illustrates some of the important concepts in Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs.\r\n\r\nReview Maslow's hierarchy of needs as well as the other theories of motivation in <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9hdSLiHaJz8?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOPRKzVLY0jJY-uHOH9KVU6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this Crash Course video<\/a>.\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\r\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/a90fc84e-1e39-49de-8acb-9b6434a0ebfa\r\n\r\nhttps:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/dfd006fc-555e-4e57-a2cf-c29e0eb49b11\r\n\r\n<\/div>\r\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\r\n<h3>Think It Over<\/h3>\r\n<section data-depth=\"1\">\r\n<div data-type=\"exercise\">\r\n<div data-type=\"problem\">\r\n<ul>\r\n \t<li>Can you think of recent examples of how Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs might have affected your behavior in some way?<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/section><section data-depth=\"1\"><section>\r\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\r\n<h3>Glossary<\/h3>\r\n<div data-type=\"definition\"><strong>hierarchy of needs:\u00a0<\/strong>spectrum of needs ranging from basic biological needs to social needs to self-actualization<\/div>\r\n<div data-type=\"definition\"><strong>motivation:\u00a0<\/strong>wants or needs that direct behavior toward some goal<\/div>\r\n<div data-type=\"definition\"><strong>self-efficacy:\u00a0<\/strong>individual\u2019s belief in his own capabilities or capacities to complete a task<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/section><\/section>","rendered":"<div>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Learning Objectives<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Explain the basic concepts associated with Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section data-depth=\"1\">\n<section data-depth=\"2\"><\/section>\n<section data-depth=\"2\">\n<p data-type=\"title\">While the theories of motivation described earlier relate to basic biological drives, individual characteristics, or social contexts, Abraham Maslow (1943) proposed a hierarchy of needs that spans the spectrum of motives ranging from the biological to the individual to the social. These needs are often depicted as a pyramid (Figure 1).<\/p>\n<figure>\n<div style=\"width: 435px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com\/courses-images-archive-read-only\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/902\/2015\/02\/23224934\/CNX_Psych_10_01_Maslow.jpg\" alt=\"A triangle is divided vertically into five sections with corresponding labels inside and outside of the triangle for each section. From top to bottom, the triangle's sections are labeled: \u201cself-actualization\u201d corresponds to \u201cInner fulfillment\u201d \u201cesteem\u201d corresponds to \u201cSelf-worth, accomplishment, confidence\u201d; \u201csocial\u201d corresponds to \u201cFamily, friendship, intimacy, belonging\u201d\u2019 \u201csecurity\u201d corresponds to \u201cSafety, employment, assets\u201d; \u201c\u201cphysiological\u201d corresponds to \u201cFood, water, shelter, warmth.\u201d\" width=\"425\" height=\"485\" data-media-type=\"image\/jpeg\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><strong>Figure 1<\/strong>. Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs is illustrated here. In some versions of the pyramid, cognitive and aesthetic needs are also included between esteem and self-actualization. Others include another tier at the top of the pyramid for self-transcendence.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p>At the base of the pyramid are all of the physiological needs that are necessary for survival. These are followed by basic needs for security and safety, the need to be loved and to have a sense of belonging, and the need to have self-worth and confidence. The top tier of the pyramid is self-actualization, which is a need that essentially equates to achieving one\u2019s full potential, and it can only be realized when needs lower on the pyramid have been met. To Maslow and humanistic theorists, self-actualization reflects the humanistic emphasis on positive aspects of human nature. Maslow suggested that this is an ongoing, life-long process and that only a small percentage of people actually achieve a self-actualized state (Francis &amp; Kritsonis, 2006; Maslow, 1943).<\/p>\n<p>According to Maslow (1943), one must satisfy lower-level needs before addressing those needs that occur higher in the pyramid. So, for example, if someone is struggling to find enough food to meet his nutritional requirements, it is quite unlikely that he would spend an inordinate amount of time thinking about whether others viewed him as a good person or not. Instead, all of his energies would be geared toward finding something to eat. However, it should be pointed out that Maslow\u2019s theory has been criticized for its subjective nature and its inability to account for phenomena that occur in the real world (Leonard, 1982). Other research has more recently addressed that late in life, Maslow proposed a self-transcendence level above self-actualization\u2014to represent striving for meaning and purpose beyond the concerns of oneself (Koltko-Rivera, 2006). For example, people sometimes make self-sacrifices in order to make a political statement or in an attempt to improve the conditions of others. Mohandas K. Gandhi, a world-renowned advocate for independence through nonviolent protest, on several occasions went on hunger strikes to protest a particular situation. People may starve themselves or otherwise put themselves in danger displaying higher-level motives beyond their own needs.<\/p>\n<div data-type=\"note\" data-label=\"Link to Learning\">\n<div class=\"textbox examples\">\n<h3>Link to Learning<\/h3>\n<p>Check out this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wisc-online.com\/learn\/social-science\/psychology\/i2p401\/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-exercise\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">interactive exercise<\/a> that illustrates some of the important concepts in Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs.<\/p>\n<p>Review Maslow&#8217;s hierarchy of needs as well as the other theories of motivation in <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/9hdSLiHaJz8?list=PL8dPuuaLjXtOPRKzVLY0jJY-uHOH9KVU6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this Crash Course video<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox tryit\">\n<h3>Try It<\/h3>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_a90fc84e-1e39-49de-8acb-9b6434a0ebfa\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/a90fc84e-1e39-49de-8acb-9b6434a0ebfa?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_a90fc84e-1e39-49de-8acb-9b6434a0ebfa\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>\t<iframe id=\"assessment_practice_dfd006fc-555e-4e57-a2cf-c29e0eb49b11\" class=\"resizable\" src=\"https:\/\/assess.lumenlearning.com\/practice\/dfd006fc-555e-4e57-a2cf-c29e0eb49b11?iframe_resize_id=assessment_practice_id_dfd006fc-555e-4e57-a2cf-c29e0eb49b11\" frameborder=\"0\" style=\"border:none;width:100%;height:100%;min-height:300px;\"><br \/>\n\t<\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"textbox learning-objectives\">\n<h3>Think It Over<\/h3>\n<section data-depth=\"1\">\n<div data-type=\"exercise\">\n<div data-type=\"problem\">\n<ul>\n<li>Can you think of recent examples of how Maslow\u2019s hierarchy of needs might have affected your behavior in some way?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<section data-depth=\"1\">\n<section>\n<div class=\"textbox key-takeaways\">\n<h3>Glossary<\/h3>\n<div data-type=\"definition\"><strong>hierarchy of needs:\u00a0<\/strong>spectrum of needs ranging from basic biological needs to social needs to self-actualization<\/div>\n<div data-type=\"definition\"><strong>motivation:\u00a0<\/strong>wants or needs that direct behavior toward some goal<\/div>\n<div data-type=\"definition\"><strong>self-efficacy:\u00a0<\/strong>individual\u2019s belief in his own capabilities or capacities to complete a task<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n\n\t\t\t <section class=\"citations-section\" role=\"contentinfo\">\n\t\t\t <h3>Candela Citations<\/h3>\n\t\t\t\t\t <div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <div id=\"citation-list-2504\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t <div class=\"licensing\"><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Original<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Modification and adaptation, addition of link to learning. <strong>Provided by<\/strong>: Lumen Learning. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em><\/li><\/ul><div class=\"license-attribution-dropdown-subheading\">CC licensed content, Shared previously<\/div><ul class=\"citation-list\"><li>Motivation. <strong>Authored by<\/strong>: OpenStax College. <strong>Located at<\/strong>: <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/10-1-motivation\">https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/10-1-motivation<\/a>. <strong>License<\/strong>: <em><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"license\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/\">CC BY: Attribution<\/a><\/em>. <strong>License Terms<\/strong>: Download for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction<\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/div>\n\t\t\t <\/section>","protected":false},"author":29,"menu_order":6,"template":"","meta":{"_candela_citation":"[{\"type\":\"cc\",\"description\":\"Motivation\",\"author\":\"OpenStax College\",\"organization\":\"\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/10-1-motivation\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"Download for free at https:\/\/openstax.org\/books\/psychology-2e\/pages\/1-introduction\"},{\"type\":\"original\",\"description\":\"Modification and adaptation, addition of link to learning\",\"author\":\"\",\"organization\":\"Lumen Learning\",\"url\":\"\",\"project\":\"\",\"license\":\"cc-by\",\"license_terms\":\"\"}]","CANDELA_OUTCOMES_GUID":"06012367-cd4f-4ee9-8322-7749963b7d9c, fda70bd6-c9c0-43dd-ace9-aa3d8d290e0a","pb_show_title":"on","pb_short_title":"","pb_subtitle":"","pb_authors":[],"pb_section_license":""},"chapter-type":[],"contributor":[],"license":[],"class_list":["post-2504","chapter","type-chapter","status-publish","hentry"],"part":520,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2504","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/chapter"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/29"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2504\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8327,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2504\/revisions\/8327"}],"part":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/parts\/520"}],"metadata":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapters\/2504\/metadata\/"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2504"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"chapter-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/pressbooks\/v2\/chapter-type?post=2504"},{"taxonomy":"contributor","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/contributor?post=2504"},{"taxonomy":"license","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/waymaker-psychology\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/license?post=2504"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}