To achieve this ultimate goal, however, a number of more basic needs must be met.
This includes the need for food, safety, love, and self-esteem.
Physiological Needs
The physiological needs include those that are vital to survival.
Joshua Seong / Verywell
At this level, the needs for security and safety become primary.
People want control and order in their lives.
Love and Belonging
The social needs in Maslows hierarchy includelove, acceptance, andbelonging.
At this level, the need for emotional relationships drives human behavior.
Esteem Needs
At the fourth level in Maslows hierarchy is the need for appreciation andrespect.
At this level, it becomes increasingly important to gain the respect and appreciation of others.
People have a need to accomplish things, then have their efforts recognized.
Such people seem to be fulfilling themselves and to be doing the best that they are capable of doing.
They are people who have developed or are developing to the full stature of which they capable."
Once lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs.
As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social.
At the top of the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority.
For others, the need forcreative fulfillmentmay supersede even the most basic needs.
Criticisms of Maslows Theory
Maslow’s theory has become wildly popular both in and out of psychology.
The fields of education and business have been particularly influenced by the theory.
But Maslow’s concept has not been without criticism.
This can help explain why we might feel “stuck” or unmotivated.
Changing this requires looking at what we need, then finding a way to get it.
Self-actualization is at the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.
This need refers to the desire to reach our full potential.
According to Maslow, this need can only be met once all of the other needs are satisfied.
There’s also a concern that his idea of self-actualization cannot be tested.
There are five levels in Maslow’s pyramid.
The bottom two levels are physiological needs and safety needs which, together, make up basic needs.
Next are social and esteem needsalso referred to as psychological needs.
Self-actualization needs are at the top level of Maslow’s pyramid.
Someone who is self-actualized is said to be at (or in the pursuit of) their full potential.
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