Abraham maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory states that needs of the humans are positioned hierarchy form, starting with physical needs form the lowest and “Self- actualization”, the innovative and intellectual needs at the top.
According to maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory, before satisfying the higher needs, the survival (Physical) needs must be satisfied first. As we move higher up the hierarchy, the needs become more psychological as well as long-term. The details of maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory are explained below.
Details of maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory
1-Physiological needs:
Abraham maslow’s hierarchy of needs are the needs which are necessary for human survival. For example, food, air, shelter, clothing, sex, and sleep. These are the basic needs that motivate our behavior as humans. Once these needs are satisfied, humans are motivated to the next level of needs.
Among maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the physiological needs as the most important ones because they are necessary for the survival of the human being. In order for the human body to function optimally, the fulfillment of these needs are necessary. After the satisfaction of these needs, the next needs i-e safety needs tend to arise.
2-Safety needs:
These needs are fulfilled with the help of family and society. For instance, emotive security, security of finances (e.g., occupation, community welfare), situation of law and order, place where there is no fear with people, societalsolidity, property, healthiness and comfort (e.g., place where there is no accident and injury), police, business, and medical care etc. it is because people desire for experiencing order, predictability, along with control in their lives. After satisfaction of safety needs, the love and belongingness needs arise.
3-Love and belongingness needs:
These needs refer to emotional needs of humans such as personal relationships, connectedness, and feeling of a part of a group. For example, friendship, trust, acceptance, mutual exchange of love and affection. These needs are stronger at the level of childhood in the maslow’s hierarchy of needs. They expect love and belongingness from their parents.
4-Esteem needs:
This is the fourth stage of maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
These needs represent the human desire to be valued and accepted by others and for the purpose of gaining recognition from others.
These needs include self-worth, respect, and accomplishment. According to maslow hierarchy theory, This level has two categories.
- Esteem for oneself such as self-respect, accomplishment, and freedom.
- The wish to get admiration from others such as position and respect.
The imbalances in this level of hierarchy may result in low self-esteem or an inferiority complex. This need for respect is important for the stage of childhood and adolescence.
5-Self actualization needs:
This level identifies the complete potential of a person as well as the realization of this potential. Maslow hierarchy theory described this level as the aspiration to fulfill all the thing which is in the potential of a person, and to become of which one is capable.
This desire may be expressed differently by different persons. For example, one may desire for becoming ideal parent. The other may express it through excelling in athletics while some may express it in painting, pictures, or inventions.
According to maslow hierarchy theory all of us experience transitory moments of self actualization. Such experiences of self actualization are not only difficult to achieve but also to maintain them.
This five level model of maslow hierarchy theory was expanded by Maslow in 1970 by including the needs.
1-Cognitive needs:
These needs include the desire for knowledge and understanding, curiosity, exploration, and need for meaning and predictability.
2-Aesthetic needs:
These needs encompass the search for and appreciation of beauty, balance, form etc.
3-Transcendence needs:
According to these needs, a person is motivated by values that transcend beyond the personal self. These needs include experiences with nature, mystical experiences, sexual experiences, religious faith, etc.
The diagram of the expanded maslow hierarchy theory is presented below:
Much of the interest of Abraham maslow hierarchy theory (1943) was that how much potential in the humans is and how much they fulfill that potential. He stated that the self-actualized people fulfill and do all that they are capable of.
Now what is the growth of self-actualization, Abraham maslow theory of motivation says that self-actualization is the need of personal growth as well as the discovery which is present in the person’s life throughout. This need for the discovery of personal growth leads persons to work in different directions. For example, some people may try to achieve self-actualization through working in the field of art or literature, while some people may work through sports or corporate setting.
As for as the measurement of actualization is concerned, it is measured through the concept of peak experiences. These peak experiences the feelings of joy, wonder, and euphoria. It is important to note that the process of self-actualization is continuous. It is important to note that although almost of the people have the potential to reach the stage of self actualization, he found from his researches that only 2 percent of the people actually reach the stage of self actualization.
Educational implications of maslow theory of motivation
Maslow theory of motivation has made significant contributions in the field of teaching and learning in the schools. Maslow has adopted a holistic approach in the field of teaching and learning. He considered the overall qualities of the individual such as social, physical, emotional and cognitive in the process of learning.
Maslow theory of motivation says that the students’ physiological needs must be fulfilled before their cognitive needs are met. For instance, for the student to reach the full potential, they need to feel physically as well as emotionally safe.
Maslow theory of motivation also stress that it is very important for the teachers to show to the students that they respected and valued. For this purpose, the creation of positive environment is necessary. In this way their self-esteem is strengthened.