How to Understand Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Posted Dec 2011
What is our motivator? Basically, we have many needs in our life: health, money, family, social life, etc. We are trying to satisfy our needs in a best possible way. Any possibility to satisfy our need can be the motivation factor. For example: motivation for doing a job can be the money, since money can help in satisfying needs. But there could be other motivators for doing a job: socializing, learning, traveling...
It is good that every activity is source of more than one motivator. For example, the money can be strong motivator, but only on the short run. Once the employee got a raise he/she will be motivated, but soon new salary level is not the source of motivation, due to adoption to a new level. In case that employee is dissatisfied with many things related to his job, salary can not be the sufficient motivator for a long time.
In order to understand the complexity of human motivation and needs, Abraham Maslow developed theory of hierarchy of needs. This hierarchy of needs, called Maslow's hierarchy of needs, is trying to group the various motivators in different groups. The hierarchy of needs starts with the basic needs, like breathing and survival. The top level needs like morale or creativity. Abraham Maslow developed this hierarchy of needs and graphically presented them in shape of a pyramid.
Physiological level is the basic level of motivators of hierarchy of needs.
According the Maslow's theory, this segment covers breathing, food, water, excretion, sex, and sleep.
Safety level is the following level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
This group of need covers personally safety, employment security, health and property. This segment is very important
Belonging and love is the next level of hierarchy of needs in the Maslow's theory.
This group contains the need of belonging to group, family and sexual contact.
Esteem is the next level on Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. It covers self-esteem, achievements, self-confidence and mutual respect.
Self-actualization is the top level of hierarchy of needs and contains the morale, creativity, openness and clear mildness.
Recommended Reading:
Learning To Let Go
Formal Education and Personal Development
Sources of Motivation
Are You Being Hypnotized?
Self-Education: Active Learning
Intuition: The Sixth Sense
Personal Change Management
Developing And Maintaining The Positive Attitude
Wisdom Does Not Neccesarily Comes With Age
