Maslow’s Theory of Motivation

03 Aug 2021

According to Psychologist Abraham Maslow, our actions and behaviours are motivated in order to achieve certain needs.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the best-known theories of motivation.

Maslow first introduced his concept of Hierarchy of Needs in his 1943 paper "A Theory of Human Motivation" and his subsequent book Motivation and Personality. This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to fulfil basic needs before moving on to other, more advanced needs.

Maslow's hierarchy is displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid are made up of the most basic needs, while the most complex needs are at the top of the pyramid.

Needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food, water, sleep, and warmth. Soon, the need for security, love, friendship, and belongingness becomes important. Once these needs are met we start progressing up the pyramid, and our needs become increasingly psychological.

The 5 Hierarchy of Needs are as follows:

1. Physiological Needs:

Food, water, shelter, air and other basic needs.

2. Security Needs:

Job and financial security, health care and wellness, safety against injury and accident, stability in life, savings and other needs.

3. Social Needs:

Family, friends, love, community and other social groups.

4. Esteem Needs:

Recognition for accomplishments, gaining respect, acceptance from others leading to higher self-esteem and personal worth. It elevates the psychological needs of the person.

5. Self-Actualization:

Achievement of all the needs may be described as full use of talents, capabilities and potentialities. Some people seem to be fulfilling all the needs and are doing the best that they are capable of doing. Some have developed and still looking for new opportunities and some are developing themselves to move ahead and achieve their full potential.

A quote by Maslow that says “What is necessary to change a person is to change his awareness of himself.”

My take on this theory is to understand that these needs don't stem from a lack of something, but rather from a desire to grow as a person……

Do you agree with me that despite the concerns we might face, motivation is all about being self-aware and trying to reach our true potential in our own ways????

So the question here is………………..

Are you self-aware of your true potential??????????????????????

Written By

Sujitha Sanil

Training Category

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