Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs was created by Abraham Maslow in the 1950s. Later, this theory was represented (wrongly) by a pyramid. This pyramid makes it possible to categorize the needs of individuals in the form of 5 different levels. This pyramid took shape by working on a theory of prioritizing the needs and motivations of individuals.

Needs are therefore central for Maslow. Its pyramid makes it possible to prioritize the needs of individuals. Indeed, even if each individual is unique, our needs are common to all. In order to be able to realize the different needs, those at lower levels must be satisfied beforehand. The satisfaction of these fundamental needs will allow the individual to access well-being.

Here are the 5 needs named by Maslow

Physiological needs:

These needs constitute the foundation, the base of the pyramid. In these physiological needs therefore to maintain survival and the internal balance of the individual.

How to satisfy your physiological needs?

For example, we can find the act of eating, sleeping, drinking... If these needs are not satisfied, the individual will have the main motivation to achieve them, and will no longer leave room for other needs.

Security needs:

Once physiological needs are met, the individual can begin to realize some of their safety needs. The latter are part of a more social sphere, and will lead to specific behaviors which can vary from one culture to another. They will depend on the stability of the family circle, the level of income or the mental health of the individual. There are therefore two types of security, physical security and mental security.

How can we satisfy this need for security?

These needs include having housing security, job security or physical security. moral security… These needs can be satisfied individually or collectively

Social belonging needs:

These needs represent the third level of the pyramid. This level appeals to the social dimension of the individual. The need to belong is essential for the proper development of the individual. If this is not satisfied, the person can create an attachment or an excessive dependence which will lead to a loss of autonomy.

How can we satisfy this need for social belonging?

The person will need to feel accepted in a group, to feel loved, to have social status. So we all need love, affection, socialization, communication…

Esteem and self-esteem needs:

Once we are integrated into a society or group, we need to be recognized as our own entity, to be appreciated and esteemed. So we need to be considered by other people, to have respect and value.

This category also includes self-esteem, i.e. self-evaluation of ourselves. An individual who is esteemed by others may not have high self-esteem and vice versa.

How to satisfy this need for self-esteem?

Different means can satisfy these needs. There will be material needs (housing, car, etc.) and immaterial needs (social status, diploma, etc.). The means to satisfy self-esteem vary according to cultures, times and people. Self-esteem can be fulfilled by what we have or what we are.

Needs for self-realization and accomplishment:

This level is the 5th and final level of Maslow's pyramid of needs. Thus according to Maslow's theory, this can only be achieved if the previous 4 can be satisfied. Self-realization is an active and not a passive process. The goal is to act!

How to satisfy this need for self-realization?

Thus the individual needs to flourish, increase their knowledge, develop certain values, or achieve a personal objective. The person will seek to fulfill himself as such.

The hierarchy of needs is subject to numerous criticisms from different professionals.

• Maslow does not sufficiently highlight the importance of social relations: Indeed, culture can modify the fundamental needs of this pyramid. If the individual finds himself in a collectivist society, for example, the group will have much greater importance than in an individualist society. Likewise, depending on the periods, geographical locations... The different needs will not have the same importance.
• A thinking of needs which is too linear and schematized: Human beings and their psychological processes are complex and cannot fit into well-defined cases. Some of our needs can manifest themselves jointly and not one after the other, having the same importance for the individual.

It is still important to nuance the hierarchy of needs. Maslow explains in particular that the emergence of needs does not occur suddenly and unexpectedly but appears little by little gradually. This means that as one need begins to be satisfied, the next one begins to surface little by little.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is part of his motivation theory. Indeed, this pyramid allows us to understand what is hidden behind our motivations. Thus, better understanding the different needs of individuals would make it easier to find the levers of daily motivation and commitment. The more needs are satisfied, the more engaged the person will be in carrying out the task.

Conversely, if the previous needs are not sufficiently met, the person will show less commitment to the task, which can cause more difficulties with change.