Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

To continue my blog about self-esteem from yesterday, today, we discuss how and where self-esteem is in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow presented his a motivational theory as a five-tier model of needs at a hierarchical level.

Maslow (1943) first stated that people must achieve lower level needs before progressing on to higher levels. Well, if we think about suffering artists, painters, authors in the past, we can clearly see that their basic needs were not met, but they still reached self-actualisation. Maslow himself clarified later, that satisfaction of a needs is not an “all-or-none” phenomenon, declaring that his earlier statements might have given “the false impression that a need must be satisfied 100 per cent before the next need emerges” (1987, p. 69). 

But where is self-esteem on the pyramid?

The bottom, first four levels are the deficiency needs (D-needs), the top level is known as growth or being needs (B-needs).

The bottom needs focus on the lack of something, the growth needs stem from a desire to grow as a person. When these growth needs have been reasonably satisfied, a person may be able to reach the highest level, called self-actualisation. 

Everybody can move up the hierarchy towards the top. 

Yes, sometimes the progress is disrupted by a failure to meet lower-level needs. Life costs money, not everybody can “afford” to commit to self-actualisation. Maslow (1943, 1954) described this situation as survival needs. Furthermore, life experiences, including the death of a loved one, divorce, loss of a job or low self-esteem, may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy. 

It means that we can move up and down the hierarchy, the needs and your state are not static. It also means that you have the option to proceed. 

The original five-stage model includes:

1. Physiological needs – biological requirements for survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex and sleep. 

2. Safety needs – security and safety. It means emotional and financial security (e.g. family, employment, social welfare), law and order, social stability, freedom from fear, property, health and wellbeing.

3. Love and belongingness needs – interpersonal relationships, e.g. friendship, intimacy, trust and acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Being part of a group (friends, work and family).

4. Esteem needs – Maslow classified them into two categories: esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, independence, mastery) and the desire for reputation and being respected (status, prestige). 

Maslow also indicated that the need for respect is crucial for children and adolescents, and it precedes real self-esteem or dignity. We often find in therapy sessions, that clients` low self-esteem stems from previous life experiences. 

5. Self-actualisation needs – the realisation of a person’s full potential, self-fulfilment. Maslow (1943) described this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can do, to become the most that one can be. 

What is self-actualisation?

Self-actualisation is very individual. Some people want to feel like the best parent, some want to climb the Mount Everest, others want to have a beautiful garden or achieve a CEO position.

The most important thing about self-actualisation that it makes you feel competent, proud and confident. It makes you feel accomplished and satisfied with yourself and your life. 

Maslow (1962) believed that self-actualisation occurs when a person experiences the world totally for what it is, and they feel euphoria, joy and wonder.

However, self-actualisation is a continual process of becoming. When I work with my clients, I want them to focus on the goal, but, most importantly, enjoy their journey of getting there.

Andrea Szentgyorgyi PGDip MNSTT

References:

Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370-96.

Maslow, A. H. (1962). Toward a psychology of being. Princeton: D. Van Nostrand Company.

Maslow, A. H. (1987). Motivation and personality (3rd ed.). Delhi, India: Pearson Education.

Contact me for more information about therapy for self-esteem

67 thoughts on “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

  1. I think this is one of the most important info for me.
    And i am glad reading your article. But wanna remark on few general things, The
    site style is ideal, the articles is really great : D. Good job, cheers

    1. Thank you for the suggestion. I’ll give it a try.

  2. Hmm it looks like your website ate my first comment (it was extremely long) so I guess I’ll just sum it up what I submitted and say, I’m
    thoroughly enjoying your blog. I too am an aspiring blog writer but I’m
    still new to everything. Do you have any recommendations for novice blog writers?
    I’d genuinely appreciate it.

  3. Hi there i am kavin, its my first time to commenting anywhere, when i read this
    article i thought i could also make comment due to this good paragraph.

  4. Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it ;
    ) I may return once again since I bookmarked it. Money and freedom is
    the greatest way to change, may you be rich and continue to help others.

  5. I’m really impressed with your writing skills and
    also with the layout on your weblog.
    Anyway keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see
    a great blog like this one nowadays.

  6. I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but
    great topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.

    Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this info for
    my mission.

  7. I think the admin of this website is really working hard
    for his site, since
    here every information is quality based data.

  8. You really make it seem so easy with
    your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think
    I would never understand. It seems too complicated and very broad for me.

    I’m looking forward for your next post, I will try to get
    the hang of it!

  9. We are a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community.

    Your site provided us with useful information to work
    on. You’ve performed a formidable task and our whole community might be grateful to you.

  10. excellent issues altogether, you simply gained a new reader.
    What could you recommend in regards to your publish that you
    just made some days ago? Any positive?

  11. whoah this weblog is excellent i really like reading your posts. Lots of individuals are looking round for this information, you could aid them greatly.

  12. Dismantle the bridge shortly after crossing it.

  13. Somebody necessarily lend a hand to make severely articles I would state.
    This is the very first time I frequented your web page and thus far?

    I amazed with the research you made to make this actual put up incredible.
    Magnificent activity!

  14. Thank you for posting this post. I found it extremely helpful because it explained what I was trying to say. I hope it can help others as well.

  15. We stujmbled oover here frpm a different webxite and thought I
    should ceck things out. I like wyat I see so
    noww i’m following you. Loook forward too going over your web page again.

  16. Thank you for writing such an excellent article, it helped me out a lot and I love studying this topic.

  17. You’ve been a great help to me. Thank you!

  18. How can I find out more about it?

  19. How can I find out more about it?

  20. That’s what i mean when i say that content is the king!

  21. That’s what i mean when i say that content is the king!

  22. I really appreciate your help

  23. Thank you for posting such a wonderful article. It helped me a lot and I adore the topic.

  24. I really appreciate your help

  25. Thank you for writing such an excellent article. It helped me a lot and I love the topic.

  26. Thanks for your help and for posting this article. It’s been great.

  27. Dude these articles have been great. Thank you for helping me.

  28. I am really glad I’ve found this information. Nowadays bloggers publish only about gossips and web and this is really frustrating. A good blog with exciting content, this is what I need. Thank you for keeping this web-site, I’ll be visiting it. Do you do newsletters? Can’t find it.

  29. Hi there! I just want to give a huge thumbs up for the nice information you might have here on this post. I will be coming back to your blog for more soon.

  30. What i don’t realize is in reality how you’re not actually much more neatly-favored than you might be right now. You are very intelligent. You already know thus significantly in the case of this subject, produced me in my view imagine it from a lot of numerous angles. At all times maintain it up!

  31. wonderful post, very informative. I ponder why the other experts of this sector do not understand this. You should continue your writing. I’m confident, you have a great readers’ base already!

  32. I like the helpful information you provide to your articles. I?ll bookmark your blog and take a look at once more right here frequently. I’m relatively sure I will learn plenty of new stuff proper here! Best of luck for the next!

  33. wonderful submit, very informative. I’m wondering why the opposite experts of this sector do not understand this. You must continue your writing. I am confident, you’ve a great readers’ base already!

  34. I discovered more new things on this weight loss issue. One issue is a good nutrition is highly vital when dieting. A massive reduction in fast foods, sugary meals, fried foods, sweet foods, pork, and white colored flour products may be necessary. Holding wastes harmful bacteria, and toxic compounds may prevent ambitions for fat-loss. While specified drugs quickly solve the issue, the nasty side effects are not worth it, plus they never offer you more than a short-term solution. It is a known proven fact that 95 of fad diet plans fail. Thanks for sharing your thinking on this weblog.

  35. Heya i?m for the first time here. I found this board and I find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped me.

  36. I just like the valuable information you supply for your articles. I will bookmark your weblog and check again here regularly. I am relatively certain I will be told lots of new stuff proper here! Good luck for the following!

  37. I?m not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for magnificent info I was looking for this information for my mission.

  38. My relatives all thhe time say thatt I am killing mmy timee
    here at web, howecer I know I aam getting experience daily bby reading thds nice posts.

  39. Aw, this was a really nice post. In idea I want to put in writing like this moreover ? taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article? however what can I say? I procrastinate alot and certainly not seem to get one thing done.

  40. It is appropriate time to make a few plans for the future and it is time to be happy. I’ve read this put up and if I may just I want to counsel you few fascinating issues or suggestions. Perhaps you can write subsequent articles relating to this article. I desire to learn even more issues about it!

  41. Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. After all I will be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!Mathew

  42. Unquestionably believe that which you stated. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they plainly do not know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  43. Heya i am for the first time here. I found this board and I find It truly useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and aid others like you helped me.

  44. I like what you guys are up also. Such smart work and reporting! Keep up the excellent works guys I have incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my site 🙂

  45. great points altogether, you simply gained a brand new reader. What would you suggest about your post that you simply made a few days in the past? Any sure?

  46. Good site! I really love how it is easy on my eyes and the data are well written. I am wondering how I could be notified whenever a new post has been made. I have subscribed to your RSS which must do the trick! Have a great day!

  47. Hello there, You have done an excellent job. I will certainly digg it and personally recommend to my friends. I’m confident they’ll be benefited from this site.

  48. Definitely believe that which you said. Your favorite justification appeared to be on the internet the easiest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people think about worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing, people can take a signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

  49. You could definitely see your expertise in the work you write. The world hopes for more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. Always go after your heart.

  50. I truly appreciate this post. I?ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again

  51. I’m not that much of a internet reader to be honest but your sites really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your site to come back later. Many thanks

  52. You actually make it seem so easy with your presentation but I find this matter to be actually something that I think I would never understand. It seems too complex and extremely broad for me. I am looking forward for your next post, I?ll try to get the hang of it!

  53. A powerful share, I simply given this onto a colleague who was doing a little bit analysis on this. Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I really feel strongly about it and love studying extra on this topic. If attainable, as you develop into experience, would you thoughts updating your blog with more details? It is highly useful for me. Huge thumb up for this weblog put up!

  54. It?s really a nice and helpful piece of information. I?m satisfied that you just shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.

  55. I may need your help. I’ve been doing research on gate io recently, and I’ve tried a lot of different things. Later, I read your article, and I think your way of writing has given me some innovative ideas, thank you very much.

  56. It?s onerous to find educated people on this subject, however you sound like you recognize what you?re speaking about! Thanks

  57. Very clean website , thanks for this post.

  58. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my comment on the blog. Your engagement makes a difference.

  59. Your reply on the blog made my day. Thank you for making me feel heard and appreciated.

  60. This site really has all the info I wanted about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  61. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Rarely do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and amusing, and without a doubt, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The issue is something not enough men and women are speaking intelligently about. Now i’m very happy I found this during my search for something regarding this.

  62. I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this site. I am hoping to view the same high-grade content by you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has motivated me to get my very own website now 😉

  63. This web site truly has all the information and facts I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  64. You have a way of explaining complex topics in a straightforward and easy to understand manner Your posts are always a pleasure to read

  65. I’m amazed, I have to admit. Seldom do I encounter a blog that’s equally educative and interesting, and let me tell you, you’ve hit the nail on the head. The problem is something that too few men and women are speaking intelligently about. I’m very happy that I found this during my hunt for something concerning this.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

WhatsApp chat
search previous next tag category expand menu location phone mail time cart zoom edit close