Maslow’s Theory on Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow has classified the human needs and put them in a hierarchy. Let me try to understand and explain his theory in my own thinking.

Firstly, I will take it away from Organisational perspective. It fits into and gives a clear representation of human livelihood. This applies to any living being under the sky and no single being can escape this classification. The needs vary from person to person. So does this classification. Although this classification shall fit to any human, it varies from person to person, in the sense that, what might be a safety need to a person shall be an esteem need to another person, or social need of one person may be a safety need for another. It depends on how one looks at it.

Also, when a person goes up the ladder, the needs at the bottom of the table undergo a sea change. The theory is represented in pyramid; only when the base becomes big enough you can climb up. In other words, only when the physiological needs are satisfied you think of safety needs.

Physiological Needs:

These are the basic for the livelihood of a being. The primary and foremost requirements are air, water, food, and so on…

These are the needs of the body or the physiology and are not in absolute control of a being. In other words, whether you want or not, you have to have air without which a person cannot survive. Similarly with water and food.

However, even these things can be brought under one’s control through constant practice. There are people who control their breath to control the need of air for the livelihood. There are certain people whose food requirements is barely anything. This is achieved over a long period of time through controlled practice.

Nonetheless, there is no being in the world that can totally escape the physiological needs. Even if it is controlled or restricted, the need is essential.

Safety Needs:

Once your physiological needs are satisfied and your living is assured, you have to look for keeping up that assurance; for today and tomorrow too. These are the boundaries you put around your basic needs to make one feel secured. The primary purpose is to protect the continuity and consistency of getting physiological needs satisfied. Now when a person leaving by the roadside and eats whatever he gets, would classify food as a physiological need and a place to live as a safety need and for him a compound walled bunglow will fall under social need. When he get a work and starts earning daily, he makes a shelter for himself, then when he continues to work and earn regularly, he looks for a proper house to live. In addition, now he looks for a wife and family and wants to provide them the best and safe place of stay. Now this house becomes a basic need for him.

Social Needs:

Man is a Social Animal. He has to live in groups. The groups called Society. To be part of and be accepted, in the society, he has to have a few things. For instance, the way you dress depends entirely on the society you live in. If you live in a village as a farmer, you can live with basic dhoti. However, if you are a bank manager, you have to wear neat trousers, shirts and tie.

Man lives for and with Social acceptance

Esteem Needs :

If you are working in a large company in a senior position, if you commute by Public Transport, you will be seen as a miserly creature. If you go by a two wheeler, you are accepted but not respected. If you go by a Car, you are respected.

The means for having a car is definitely there for this executive. But look at the need perspective. Even if he doesn't need the car, for social reasons, he has to have it.

Self Actualisation:

After you get satisfied with all the above needs, you finally look up and look back at what you actually yearn for. Every time you have a target, you achieve it. Every time you achieve a target, you set the next target. Finally what is that you are running for. There should be something to satisfy the self. I am not getting into any spiritual/philosophical note. As is seen in one Insurance Company visual, a man foregoes swimming as a kid, for his father. Then his self respect in the office for his wife. Then a comfort of a car for his kids. When he retires from work, he goes back to his childhood and jumps into water for swimming.

Then what is that we are running for. As per Maslow, one has to get into this thinking, only after climbing up the ladder on the heirarchy of needs.

Conclusion:

Look at where you are, plan what next, think where you want to be and be successful in life. Be Happy