Levels of motivation based on deficiency and growth needs

• Maslow proposed that human beings possess two sets of needs. This five-stage model can be divided into deficiency needs and growth needs. The first four levels are often refered to as deficiency needs (D-needs), and the top level is known as growth or being needs (B-needs)
• Deficiency needs

  • Deficiency needs are concerned with basic survival and include physiological needs (such as the need for food, sex, and sleep), and safety needs (such as the need for security and freedom from danger), love and belongingness needs and esteem needs.
• Deficiency needs

  • Behaviours associated with these needs are seen as ‘deficiency’ motivated, as they are a means to an end.
  • Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are said to motivate people when they are unmet. Also, the motivation to fulfil such needs will become stronger the longer they are denied. For example, the longer a person goes without food, the more hungry they will become.
• Growth needs

  • Growth needs are more psychological and are associated with realising an individuals full potential and needing to self-actualise. These needs are achieved more through intellectual and creative behaviours.
  • Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something but rather from a desire to grow as a person
  • Every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualisation. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower-level needs.
• Growth needs

  • Life experiences, including divorce and a loss of a job, may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy
  • Therefore, not everyone will move through the hierarchy in a uni-directional manner but may move back and forth between the different types of needs.