Maslows hierarchy of needs theory


[MEMRES-5].

Five levels of needs in ascending order:

  1. Physiological needs (food, water, sleep)
  2. Safety needs (security, stability)
  3. Love and belongingness needs (relationships, affection)
  4. Esteem needs (self-esteem, recognition)
  5. Self-actualization (reaching one’s full potential)

Physiological: A student struggling to focus in class due to hunger or lack of sleep

Safety: Choosing a college with good security measures and a safe campus environment

Belongingness: Joining study groups or campus clubs to form social connections

Q: Must lower needs be completely satisfied before moving up?

A: No, needs can be partially satisfied at multiple levels simultaneously

Q: Can someone skip levels?

A: Generally no, but motivation can exist at multiple levels at once

  • Introduced by Abraham Maslow in 1943
  • Originally published in “A Theory of Human Motivation”
  • Later levels were added to the original five-tier model
  • The theory has influenced fields beyond psyc