Currently in psychology, there are many theories that aim to increase our emotional well-being as well as our own motivation so that we carry out our life goals and can experience the benefits that come with our own personal development. One of these theories is that of the psychologist’s human motivation. Abraham Maslow who identified what the main needs of human beings are and classified them into categories according to a hierarchical order of importance for survival and our own capacity for motivation.
This humanistic psychologist suggests that every time people satisfy their own needs, others appear along the way, which we will also try to satisfy to feel more fulfilled and fulfilled. In this Psychology-Online article, we will delve into the Maslow’s theory of human motivation. Furthermore, we are going to explain to you with a good summary and examples What does this theory consist of?
For the psychologist Abraham Maslow, The needs that we human beings have drive us to have the willpower to overcome all the difficulties that arise every day. When we talk about motivation we are referring to those desires that drive us to want to achieve some goal and satisfy our human needs. This is why Maslow dedicated himself to investigating what needs people have and finally created a model known as . This model consists of 5 hierarchical levels that are as follows:
- Basic or physiological needs: refers to the basic needs for the survival of the person.
- Security: refers to the need to feel safe and protected in life.
- Affiliation: It is the need that people have to belong to a social group and feel accepted by it.
- Recognition: are all those needs for recognition and acceptance of oneself and others.
- Self-actualization: This is the highest level in the hierarchy of needs and to reach it, we need to have all other needs satisfied as it refers to the feeling of being happy in life.
Next, we will show you each of the needs of Maslow’s pyramid with their respective examples to better understand what each of them refers to.
1. Basic or physiological needs
Since basic needs are those involved in our own survival, we find the power breathe, eat and drink, dress, have sexual relations, etc. For example, a person who has the appropriate clothing to protect themselves from the cold in winter and can eat adequately can be said to have the basic or physiological needs covered that allow them to survive.
On the contrary, a person who lives on the street and is hungry and cold, does not have covers These types of needs that we need to survive so there is a risk of not being able to achieve it.
2. Security
Within this group of needs are all those that provide us with security and that make us feel protected by giving us iindependence and self-sufficiency. For example, a person who has a roof over their heads, is healthy enough to work and be able to pay the rent for an apartment and be independent, is considered a person who has this type of need covered.
On the contrary, a person who does not have this type of need well satisfied may don’t have a jobdoes not have good health and does not have a roof over which to sleep that provides security and comfort, among other types of things that mean that the person does not have their own independence.
3. Membership
A person who has this type of need covered feels part of a social group and therefore feels appreciated and valued by the members of that group. For example, a person who has a family they know they can count on, a group of friends to turn to when they need company and some advice, may have a partner they can trust and sexual intimacy.
On the contrary, a person who does not have that need satisfied, and is isolated from society since he does not belong to any social group nor does he have a family to support him.
4. Recognition
When a person has more or less satisfied all the needs described above, this is the next need that they will want to satisfy. A person who has this need satisfied feels self-confident and knows how to recognize his personal worth. A clear example would be a person who performs effectively at his job, likes what he does and other people recognize him for his work.
On the contrary, a person who does not have this need covered has low self-esteem, does not consider himself fit for what he does, does not feel comfortable in his work and no one recognizes his work.
5. Self-realization
A person who is at this level is because they have their other needs fully satisfied. An example of a person who is at this level is independent, is considered a successful person and feels like he has everything he needs to be happy. Likes Help others and have an open mindrespects the ideas and opinions of others as well as his own, likes to constantly learn new things and cares a lot about his personal development.
The opposite of this person would be someone who, despite being successful and liking what they do, does not feel completely satisfied and has the permanent feeling that something is missing to achieve happiness.