Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

by 22katieluwcthailandacth (student)

International Baccalaureate Theory of Knowledge

MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS

Overview

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a theory of psychology explaining human motivation based on the pursuit of different levels of needs. The theory states that humans are motivated to fulfill their needs in a hierarchical order. This order begins with the most basic needs before moving on to more advanced needs. The ultimate goal, according to this theory, is to reach the fifth level of the hierarchy: self-actualization.

Relevant schools of thought within psychology

biographical analysis; (Is an interpretive research approach to understand how individuals take part in social contexts and make sense of them. The analysis of the interviews helps to reveal the structures of personal and social processes of action).

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Maslow began by picking out a group of people, some historical figures, some people he knew, whom he felt clearly met the standard of self-actualization. Included in this group were Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt, Jane Adams, William James, Albert Schweitzer, Benedict Spinoza, and Alduous Huxley, plus 12 unnamed people who were alive at the time Maslow did his research. He then looked at their biographies, writings, the acts and words of those he knew personally, and so on. From these sources, he developed a list of qualities that seemed characteristic of these people, as opposed to the great mass of us as he determined these people to be in a state of self-actualisation.

Maslow had the underlying belief that these figures had reached a state of self-actualisation which may be seen as subjectively untrue.

Organisational behaviour; (Organizational Behavior (OB) is the study of human behavior in organizational settings, the interface between human behavior and the organization, and the organization itself).

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Maslow had the underlying belief that these figures had reached a state of self-actualisation which may be seen as subjectively untrue.

Organisational behaviour; (Organizational Behavior (OB) is the study of human behavior in organizational settings, the interface between human behavior and the organization, and the organization itself).

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Maslow looks at the complete physical, emotional, social, and intellectual qualities of an individual and how they impact on learning. He then organised these behavioural tendencies into a hierarchical pyramid showing the construction of needs for humanity. He determined that before cognitive needs can be considered physiological needs must be met. Leading on to understand that reaching more advanced needs is not possible before the more basic needs are met - only then can the pinnacle (Self-actualisation) be achieved.

Maslow appeared to believe that only one need can be achieved with the complete procurement with that of which lower in the hierarchy. He had the belief that needs must be categorised and organised.

Real Life Example

For example, if a person is lost in the woods, they are likely looking to fulfill their physiological needs. They may be hungry, thirsty, lacking shelter, or cold. This individual would probably not be concerned with their financial security or their need to belong in a group. They are looking to fulfill the conditions for their immediate survival.

Conversely, we can consider a senior financial analyst. This is someone who has a secure, high-paying job, a spouse, family, and house. This person is in a well-respected position at their company and among their peers. It is unlikely that this person’s motivation focuses on their physiological or safety needs, as these are clearly fulfilled. Instead, they would be looking to strive for personal growth and happiness. They would be looking to fulfill their self-actualization needs and discover what else the world has to offer, and what they have to offer the world.

Criticism/Limitations

From a scientific perspective, there are numerous problems with this particular approach. First, it could be argued that biographical analysis as a method is extremely subjective as it is based entirely on the opinion of the researcher. Personal opinion is always prone to bias, which reduces the validity of any data obtained. Therefore Maslow's operational definition of self-actualization must not be blindly accepted as scientific fact.

Better Approach?

Having a better understanding of what self-actualisation is and understanding that the determination of this is open to interpretation and is subjective would be helpful in organising behavioural tendencies that are required to achieve it.

Maybe levels of needs are interconnected; maybe one on a higher level can be achieved without achieving a lower level?

References

Mcleod, Saul. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” Simply Psychology, Simply Psychology, 5 Feb. 2007, www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html. Accessed 24 Mar. 2021

Corporate Finance Institute. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.” Corporate Finance Institute, Corporate Finance Institute, 12 May 2020, corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/other/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs/. Accessed 24 Mar. 2021.

“What Is Biographical Analysis | IGI Global.” Igi-Global.com, 2021, www.igi-global.com/dictionary/biographical-analysis/2502. Accessed 24 Mar. 2021.

https://www.facebook.com/iedunote. “Organizational Behavior Explained: Definition, Importance, Nature, Model.” IEduNote.com, 28 July 2017, www.iedunote.com/organizational-behavior. Accessed 24 Mar. 2021.

“Abraham Maslow.” Ship.edu, 2021, webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/maslow.html. Accessed 24 Mar. 2021.

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