Maslow Review
Maslow Review
Maslow Review
This five-stage model can be divided into The original hierarchy of needs five-stage model
deficiency needs and growth needs. The first four includes:
levels are often referred to as deficiency needs (D-
needs), and the top level is known as growth or being 1. Physiological needs - these are biological
needs (B-needs). requirements for human survival, e.g. air, food,
• In McEwen and Wills, first 3 are D needs while drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep. If
the last 2 is the B needs. these needs are not satisfied the human body
cannot function optimally. Maslow considered
Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are physiological needs the most important as all the
said to motivate people when they are unmet. Also, other needs become secondary until these needs
the motivation to fulfill such needs will become are met.
stronger the longer the duration they are denied. For 2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security,
example, the longer a person goes without food, the order, law, stability, freedom from fear.
more hungry they will become. 3. Love and belongingness needs - after
Maslow (1943) initially stated that individuals physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled,
must satisfy lower level deficit needs before the third level of human needs is social and
progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. involves feelings of belongingness. The need for
However, he later clarified that satisfaction of a needs interpersonal relationships motivates behavior.
is not an “all-or-none” phenomenon, admitting that Examples include friendship, intimacy, trust, and
his earlier statements may have given “the false acceptance, receiving and giving affection and
impression that a need must be satisfied 100 percent love. Affiliating, being part of a group (family,
before the next need emerges” (1987, p. 69). friends, work).
When a deficit need has been 'more or less' 4. Esteem needs - which Maslow classified into two
satisfied it will go away, and our activities become categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity,
habitually directed towards meeting the next set of achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the
needs that we have yet to satisfy. These then become desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g.,
our salient needs. However, growth needs continue to status, prestige). Maslow indicated that the need
be felt and may even become stronger once they have for respect or reputation is most important for
been engaged. children and adolescents and precedes real self-
Growth needs do not stem from a lack of esteem or dignity.
something, but rather from a desire to grow as a 5. Self-actualization needs - realizing personal
person. Once these growth needs have been potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal
reasonably satisfied, one may be able to reach the growth and peak experiences. A desire “to
highest level called self-actualization. become everything one is capable of
Every person is capable and has the desire to becoming”(Maslow, 1987, p. 64).
move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-
actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often
disrupted by a failure to meet lower level needs. Life
experiences, including divorce and loss of a job, may
The expanded hierarchy of needs