Masslow Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Lynda Schreiber

PSY/211

September 22. 2014

Eugene Jablonski

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

In Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, its bases are that people are motivated to achieve certain things in life. It is if you were to set goals and as you achieve the first goal you move towards the next. In Maslow’s hierarchy there are five stages, physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. The first stage physiological is the basic needs to stay alive, air, water, food, and even sex. “The deficiency, or basic needs are said to motivate people when they are unmet. Also, the need to fulfil such needs will become stronger the longer the duration they are denied. For example, the longer a person goes without food, the more hungry they will become.” (McLeod, S. A. (2007). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.) In the hierarchy, you must satisfy a lower level need before moving on. The second is safety; this is having shelter from the elements and even protection from fear. Without a roof over your head, you would be subject to all elements and not feel safe.  The third is social; this is   family, friendship, a loving relationship, or even a working relationship.  Without someone to talk to or rely on you would be withdrawn and not want to move forward.  The fourth stage is esteem.  Esteem can be achieved many ways, and it could be doing something you always thought was impossible or to your status among others.  With esteem comes respect for yourself, and respect from others. Then you have the confidence to move forward to the next goal.  Which leads us to the fifth stage of the hierarchy, self-actualization, become the person you want to be and accomplishing everything you put your mind too.  “Maslow noted only one in a hundred people become fully self-actualized because our society rewards the motivation primarily based on esteem, love and other social,” (Maslow noted only one in a hundred people become fully self-actualized because our society rewards the motivation primarily based on esteem, love and other social needs. (McLeod, S. A. (2007). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs)

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs makes sense in that we all set goal and want to achieve as much success in each area of the hierarchy as possible. I do see that society hold safety as the first goal. As a parent, I hold having a roof over my children’s head way more valuable than food or sex. Now with that being said you can not live if you do not have air or water. Being raised on a farm and growing up hunting wildlife and fishing for meat on the table, there is always a way to get food. So to me if we have air to breath and a source of water even if you have to boil it and some shelter over your head than the rest of the hierarchy makes sense.