Maslow

• Abraham Maslow


  One of the founding fathers of humanistic psychology
• Maslow later described his early childhood as unhappy and lonely. He spent much of his time in the library immersed in books.
• Maslow believed that they were such exceptional people that he began to analyze and take notes on their behavior. This analysis served as the basis for his theories and research on human potential.
• Charles McDermid

  Created the iconic pyramid structure of the hierarchy as we now know it
• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs


  A motivational theory in psychology that human needs are arranged in hierarchical order, with lower-level needs taking priority over higher-level needs
• The five levels of Maslow's hierarchy

  • Physiological Needs
  • Safety Needs
  • Love and Belonging Needs
  • Esteem Needs
  • Self-Actualization Needs
• Physiological Needs

  • The most basic of Maslow's hierarchy, the essentials people need for physical survival (e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sleep, health)
  • If these needs are not satisfied, the human body cannot function optimally
  • Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met
• Safety Needs


  • People want to experience order, predictability, and control in their lives
  • Includes the security of body, employment, resources, morality of family, and health
  • Can be fulfilled by the family and society (e.g. police, schools, business, medical care)
• Love and Belonging Needs

  • Related to social interaction, such as the need for love, affection, friendship, and belonging
  • Can be fulfilled through friendship, social activities, family relations, social communities, workplace groups
  • Gives a sense of purpose and meaning
• Esteem Needs


  • Needs related to self-esteem and respect, such as the need for recognition, achievement and respect for others
  • Includes esteem for oneself (e.g. dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g. status, prestige)
  • Low self-esteem or an inferiority complex may result from imbalances during this level
• Self-Actualization Needs


  • The highest level or stage in Maslow's model of human motivation
  • Includes personal and creative self-growth, realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth, and peak experiences
  • Characteristics of self-actualizers: perceive reality efficiently, accept themselves and others, spontaneous in thought and action
• Cognitive Needs


  The need for knowledge and curiosity
• Aesthetic Needs


  The need to look for beauty and appreciation
• Transcendence Needs


  The need for meaning beyond self
• Deficiency Needs


  Lower-order needs, the first four levels of Maslow's hierarchy
• Growth Needs


  Higher-order needs, the top levels of Maslow's hierarchy