Maslows Hierarchy of Needs - Paper Example

Introduction

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Abraham Maslow made the assertion that what a man can be, he must be in respect to achieving full potential. He is remembered for his contribution in psychology with respect to human motivation. Maslow's hierarchy, as the name suggests, was developed by Abraham Maslow to explain the aspects of motivation and the different levels that people shift to when satisfying their needs. He contended that people have needs that are orchestrated in a chain of command. The fundamental thoughts proposed by Maslow as per the needs of human beings and the drive associated with them include; people have needs that tend to be consistent; an individual is a homogenous unit; and that the cognizant and the oblivious needs spur conduct. It is worth noting that the hierarchy has undergone various changes as per the changes in peoples motivation. The theory has been used in various fields to address issues on aspects concerning human motivation. In regards to the area of counseling, Maslows theory of motivation is effective when approaching the needs of the patients.

Basic Assertions regarding Maslows hierarchy of needsSuccinctly, Abraham Maslow endeavored to develop Human Relations Theory. In so doing, he based his arguments on the constructs that in the event that motivation could be determined by the fulfillment of needs, then it is imperative to identify the most significant of the needs. Through an in-depth analysis of significant individuals and personalities whom Maslow perceived to exemplary such as but not limited to Albert Einstein, Maslow presented the argument that peoples inspiration primarily emanates from the satisfaction of the underlying needs in a hierarchical order by the said performance. As a result, lack of consistency in a counseling session does not provide sufficient motivation given that once an individual feels that the attention given is not adequate, the motivation fades away. Thus, it would be prudent of the counselor to devise new approaches to identifying other needs and works towards fulfilling the needs of a patient. Subsequently, Maslow outlined five primary classes of needs, which were orchestrated in a hierarchy. From his proposed hierarchy, the primary needs were psychological needs, trailed by security needs, social needs, value needs, and the need for self-realization.

Subsequently, from Maslows arguments, it became apparent that people are motivated by needs that are yet to be met. Moreover, lower needs should be satisfied before higher needs can be fulfilled. Maslow concentrated on exemplary individuals instead of psychotic people who were a radical takeoff from two of the common psychological schools of thought during his day; Freud and Skinner. On the one hand, Freud saw little distinction between the inspirations of people and other animals. Furthermore, we are rational in our very nature. Be that as it may, we fail to act that way. According to Maslow, such negativity implored Freud to analyze mentally ill people hence his departure from this convention school of thought and the decision to focus on intellectuals and excellent personalities. Maslow argued that the investigation of disabled and challenged people could only translate to a challenged philosophy. On the other hand, Skinner considered how pigeons and white rats learn. His motivational models depended on straightforward rewards, such as water and sex. Deviating from this viewpoint, Maslow imagined that psychologists ought to concentrate attributes such as affection of animals. He similarly argued that Skinner focused more on accurate depictions of people at the expense of more significant diversity of qualities that make people different. Consequently, Maslows hierarchy of needs was plausibly a substitute to the discouraging determinism of Freud and Skinner. He felt that individuals are necessarily dependable, self-securing, and self-representing. People incline toward development and love. In spite of the fact that there is an endless cycle of war and violence, he trusted that evil is not what human instinct is intended to resemble. Violence and different indecencies happen when human needs are impeded. At the end of the day, individuals who are denied of lower needs, such as the needs for safety, may protect themselves by violent means.

Discussion of Maslows Hierarchy of needs Abraham Maslow came up with seven sections in regards to the needs of the people. He arranged the needs in a hierarchy to show the order of needs in peoples livelihoods. A hierarchy can be described as the organization of ideas, concepts, or people from the lowest level to the highest level. Maslow asserts that one has to fulfill each stage in order to climb the hierarchy. Furthermore, each level is associated with motivations that increase the drive of individuals to climb up the hierarchy. It is worth noting that some people such as athletes do not go through some stages of the hierarchy due to the quick accumulation of wealth and other desires. The sections are divided into two groups whereby the four levels at the bottom part of the hierarchy are referred to as deficiency needs while the three sections at the top of the hierarchy are called growth needs.

Physiological Needs In an analytical perspective of the hierarchy, the physiological needs are found at the lowest part of the hierarchy. They also cover the largest part of the pyramid. They are referred to as the basic needs that people require for survival or rather cannot do without. According to Maslow, the need that drives most people is the aspect of survival in regards to basic needs that include food, clothing, and shelter. Before putting other things into perspective, people ensure that they have a place they consider to be home, food to eat, clothes to wear and also water to drink and to meet other needs. It is worth noting that if either of the basic needs is absent, a person becomes motivated to ensure that the need is met. In a more practical approach, students in a class tend to pay less attention to a lecture during lunch time because of the need for satisfying the hunger. Food shelters exist because of these needs because it is important for them to be met for people to survive.

Safety and Security Needs The second section that follows the physiological needs consists of safety and security needs. These needs come about when the physiological needs are met. The safety need entails the need for ensuring that harm does not befall an individual (emotional, physical, or mental damage) while the security need is associated with tremendous fear and worry. In a more practical approach, people tend to feel comfortable in places that their safety is not threatened or rather live in areas that they are in constant fear.

Love and Belongingness Needs The third section that follows the safety and security needs is the love and belongingness needs. It is worth noting that the love and belongingness need come about when the safety needs are met. The needs lie on the aspect of establishing relationships such that an individual feels that he or she belongs somewhere. It includes social relationships with family members, friends, workmates and other associates. It revolves around acceptance whereby a person feels encouraged or happy when in the company of others. The stresses involved with finding a place for belonging comes about after the physiological and security needs are met.

Self-worth and Self-esteem Needs The fourth section that follows the love and belongingness needs is the self-worth and self-esteem needs. Similarly, to the other needs, the self-worth and self-esteem needs come into perspective when the other needs are met. When people feel the sense of belonging in their social constructs, they tend to develop pride in themselves such that their level of self-esteem is elevated and feel valued. They tend to exhibit exuberance in their work in addition to their social relations.

The need for Knowledge

After the self-worth and the self-esteem needs are satisfied, the need to acquire more knowledge comes into perspective. It basically entails aspects such as achieving higher education or other skills. An individual sets goals and ambitions in the acquisition of more skills.

Aesthetic Needs

The sixth section entails aesthetic needs. It involves the aspect of being creative such that a person feels that he needs to present himself in an attractive manner. In this stage, a person is more sensitive when it comes to appearance such that they acquire luxurious cars, houses, dressings, jewelry, and other items that will enable them to make a statement.

Self-ActualizationThe seventh section that marks the last stage of the hierarchy of needs is the self-actualization stage. At this juncture, a person is perceived to have achieved full potential such that he or she has the capacity of living life without stressful factors. An individual tends to be satisfied in physical, social and emotional aspects. The stage has been attained by very few people because of its complete satisfaction of needs.

It is worth noting that the hierarchy tends to be holistic as it puts into perspective physical, social and emotional needs. Also, the theory views that people are placed in different levels of life in rega...