ABRAHAM HAROLD MASLOW'S "THEORY OF NEEDS (VERY CRUCIAL)"‼️

[eb303623]

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up. From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self actualization.


Deficiency needs vs. growth needs​

This five-stage model can be divided into deficiency needs and growth needs. The first four levels are often referred to as deficiency needs (D-needs), and the top level is known as growth or being needs (B-needs). Deficiency needs arise due to deprivation and are said to motivate people when they are unmet. Also, the motivation to fulfill 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. Maslow (1943) initially stated that individuals must satisfy lower level deficit needs before progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. However, he later clarified that satisfaction of a needs is not an “all-or-none” phenomenon, admitting that his earlier statements may have given “the false impression that a need must be satisfied 100 percent before the next need emerges” (1987, p. 69).

​

When a deficit need has been 'more or less' satisfied it will go away, and our activities become habitually directed towards meeting the next set of needs that we have yet to satisfy. These then become our salient needs. However, growth needs continue to be felt and may even become stronger once they have been engaged. Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something, but rather from a desire to grow as a person. Once these growth needs have been reasonably satisfied, one may be able to reach the highest level called self-actualization. Every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower level needs. Life experiences, including divorce and loss of a job, may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy. Therefore, not everyone will move through the hierarchy in a uni-directional manner but may move back and forth between the different types of needs.

The original hierarchy of needs five stage model includes:​

Maslow (1943, 1954) stated that people are motivated to achieve certain needs and that some needs take precedence over others. Our most basic need is for physical survival, and this will be the first thing that motivates our behavior. Once that level is fulfilled the next level up is what motivates us, and so on. The original hierarchy of needs five-stage model includes:

1. Physiological needs - these are biological requirements for Human survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep. If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met.

2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, freedom from fear.

3. Love and belongingness needs - after physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled, the third level of human needs is social and involves feelings of belongingness. The need for interpersonal relationships motivates behavior Examples include friendship, intimacy, trust, and acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Affiliating, being part of a group (family, friends, work).

4. Esteem needs - which Maslow classified into two categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige). Maslow indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity.

5. Self-actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences. A desire “to become everything one is capable of becoming” (Maslow, 1987, p. 64).

​

Maslow posited that human needs are arranged in a hierarchy:

"It is quite true that man lives by bread alone — when there is no bread. But what happens to man’s desires when there is plenty of bread and when his belly is chronically filled? At once other (and “higher”) needs emerge and these, rather than physiological hungers, dominate the organism. And when these in turn are satisfied, again new (and still “higher”) needs emerge and so on. This is what we mean by saying that the basic human needs are organized into a hierarchy of relative prepotency" (Maslow, 1943, p. 375).

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs serves as a timeless blueprint for human fulfillment, underscoring that our ascent toward self-actualization hinges on first securing those foundational layers physiological sustenance, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and beyond. For those of us grappling with deficits in basic relational needs like friendships and intimate connections, the theory isn't just academic; it's a clarion call to prioritize these essentials. Without them, higher pursuits remain elusive, trapped beneath unmet yearnings. By intentionally nurturing friendships, seeking meaningful relationships, and addressing these core voids, we unlock the potential to thrive, proving Maslow's insight: true growth demands a solid base. Let's commit to building ours, one need at a time.

GOOD LUCK, MATES !​

 

[randomdeity]

Yes, what you've stated is true ('on the face' true).
This theory to actual reality, is what newtonian mechanics is to quantum mechanics (assuming quantum theory is perfect).

The thing is, this theory's definition of human being itself is flawed.

So, you'll have to fix what exactly is a human being.
For example, when I'm asked 'exactly what are you', I say 'this is me' pointing to my body, mind, emotions etc..

So suppose when I cut my hands off, will I remain 'randomdeity' or will I become only 'randomdeit'?
( I'll use this as username elsewhere)
In my experience, I'm still the same 'me', I'll not become any less 'me'. So obviously, I am not my body.

Similarly, if a part of my brain gets damaged, and if I loose most of my memory, including all ideas, philosophies, relations etc.. in my experience I'll be the same 'me'. (Here, I can compare my present sense of self with whatever experiences I remember).
I'm pretty sure this'll be the case even if I get Profound Intellectual disability, though here I won't be able to compare, since I'll loose the necessary faculty to do it.

So here we've established some distinction between 'me' and 'my body' and 'my mind'.
This is the same with emotions too, emotions are just juicier thoughts.

Physiological needs are needs of body, which are absolutely important for survival, which is stated correctly in theory.
(These too can be overcome by putting yourself through certain discipline, you might have heard many stories of people like them from Himalayan ranges)

Its the 2,3,4 where its wrong. Its the needs of human mind, not human being.
(except health, which is essentially a state which body and mind are in certain pleasant state and function without any friction.)
These are needs of human mind. As persons with deep intellectual disabilities may not have these, but they are still human beings.

The want for self-actualization is actually more basic, it doesn't arise out of body or mind, its the very innate nature of 'me'. I can't justify it logically yet, but it comes from a legit source. So I can only say 'just trust me on this bro'.


The theory comes from observation of human beings (mostly those from society, but is generally true for everyone, as humans have always been societal creatures, hence these needs are written very deeply into their psyche), not from understanding the human beings.
That is, this theory is result of lateral observation rather than core deduction.

 

[eb303623]

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and sharing your thoughts on this. First of all, i totally agree with what you are saying and i genuinely appreciate you engaging with the ideas so deeply and offering your perspective. It's exactly the kind of meaningful dialogue i hope this post will encourage.

You did make really interesting points here, especially about differentiating between the needs of the body, the mind and the essential self. I also agree that who we are at the core may not be fully captured by the physical or mental builds. Your analogy of losing your hand or your memory but still feeling like yourself is a powerful illustration of that distinction and resonates with the philosophical and spiritual sight that see human identity as something more important.

From that view, i can see why you would disagree with 2,3 and 4 as needs of the mind or conditioned-self rather than absolute requirements for the crucial human being, and you are right. But note, people with profound intellectual disabilities for example, are fully human but many not consciously pursue esteem or belonging in the way maslow's outlined. Yet, they can still feel the presence of Love or even what we call self actualization in a purer form.

For me honestly, this theory or hierarchy of needs, has always been less about firmly defining what a human being is but it's more about describing common patterns of motivation a lot of people experience in real life or reality, especially about the social and psychological sense.

My own life for example as I'm speaking to you now, when basic needs like safety, connections and respect is missing, it's been sometimes difficult to focus on growth, purpose and self realization. This theory gave me a language for that experience and a reminder to stay strong so that i don't feel trapped beneath when it get to times like this.

So perhaps we could think of this theory not as an absolute or perfect truth but more like a a useful guide for navigating human experience in the world, especially for those of us who feel the weight of these unmet needs. This doesn't necessarily deny the deeper truth you are pointing here, but for many including myself tending to the layers of safety, belonging and esteem can create the inward and outward conditions that make the journey towards self actualization or self realization feel more reachable.

Again, i really value what you said. It adds an important layer of depth to this conversation. I love it when people contribute to things like this. At the end of the day we are all learning and it's not about choosing between maslow is right or wrong but about using different point of views to get to understand ourselves better. I'm really grateful and do appreciate your shared thoughts on this.

 

[randomdeity]

basic needs like safety, connections and respect is missing, it's been sometimes difficult to focus on growth, purpose and self realization

I hear you man; even talking about growth when these needs are not met, especially if their absence is felt deeply, feels like pouring salt on wounds. You'll not be able to focus anything other than that. I've been through that phase.
I hope you're able to fufill them soon. And take care to not go into depression.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read and sharing your thoughts on this. First of all, i totally agree with what you are saying and i genuinely appreciate you engaging with the ideas so deeply and offering your perspective. It's exactly the kind of meaningful dialogue i hope this post will encourage.

Your welcome!
I too like it when people are willing to talk about deeper things that general populace ignores, its feels like an intellectual need is kinda getting fulfilled.

This theory gave me a language for that experience and a reminder to stay strong so that i don't feel trapped beneath when it get to times like this.

So perhaps we could think of this theory not as an absolute or perfect truth but more like a a useful guide for navigating human experience in the world, especially for those of us who feel the weight of these unmet needs.

Yes, this theory does a pretty good job of articulating the human needs and experiences and consequently the motivations of their actions.
I've even come to this forum in search for security.
Specially financial security, since its one thing that has potential to fulfill almost all needs listed in 2 and 4, it also helps the needs in 3 to some extent (not always though).

i can see why you would disagree with 2,3 and 4 as needs of the mind or conditioned-self rather than absolute requirements for the crucial human being, and you are right. But note, people with profound intellectual disabilities for example, are fully human but many not consciously pursue esteem or belonging in the way maslow's outlined. Yet, they can still feel the presence of Love or even what we call self actualization in a purer form.

Need for love, connections etc.. are still part of 'needs of mind'. Animals are capable of feeling the emotions, and even plants (which were considered solitary, 'not capable' for communication till recently) do communicate. There's a research paper saying how they communicate through roots (mycorrhizal networks or wood-wide-web).

Its not just man that is social animal, almost all life on earth is built that way. Its very deeply rooted in software, as this need had started very early in evolution. The intellectual part of brain is very recent happening, so even if it breaks, the other parts of the software still work, hence even people with those disabilities do feel these emotions.

Yes, they feel the presence of love and 'need to expand' (self-actualization) in purer and stronger form, because there is no overwhelming presence of mind.

Mind: personality, ideas, prejudices are like covers on a light bulb. Light bulb being the actual 'me'.
The more complex these covers get, the more it'll suffocate the human being, as he'll be lost in these covers, without experience of the actual 'me'. This is why you see people with high IQ (or at least with capable mind), getting all depressed.

 

[eb303623]

Thanks for coming back to this. contributing, to this means a lot to me. Really felt what you said about not being able to focus on growth when those core needs are not present. Really do appreciate the well wishes. Its a journey but, conversations like this helps. It's really cool, you mentioned coming here looking for financial security. It makes much sense because money does affect so many layers of life even if it can't buy deeper stuffs like inner peace and connection.

I'm glad we both have, interest in these deeper talks. Sometimes just having the language to describe what we are going through makes it easier to navigate. If the theory isn't perfect, it can still help and make sense of things while we're in the difficult part of life.

Wishing you well on finding the financial security you're aiming for. Thanks again for adding so much to this entire discussion. You know, it's refreshing and nice to talk about stuff like this without turning it into a debate. It's been a nice and interesting conversation with you. Take Care and have a good one.

All the best!

 

[American Dad]

The comments are even more interesting than the article! I'm already used to the fact that users here usually write completely different...

 

[randomdeity]

Thanks for coming back to this. contributing, to this means a lot to me. Really felt what you said about not being able to focus on growth when those core needs are not present. Really do appreciate the well wishes. Its a journey but, conversations like this helps. It's really cool, you mentioned coming here looking for financial security. It makes much sense because money does affect so many layers of life even if it can't buy deeper stuffs like inner peace and connection.

I'm glad we both have, interest in these deeper talks. Sometimes just having the language to describe what we are going through makes it easier to navigate. If the theory isn't perfect, it can still help and make sense of things while we're in the difficult part of life.

Wishing you well on finding the financial security you're aiming for. Thanks again for adding so much to this entire discussion. You know, it's refreshing and nice to talk about stuff like this without turning it into a debate. It's been a nice and interesting conversation with you. Take Care and have a good one.

All the best!

All the best to you too!

 

[bigccvv]

very interesting article and comments

 

[MailPass]

Good reading!