FREE online courses on Motivation Defined - Maslow s Theory of Motivation

 

One of the most popular theories of motivation has been propounded by Abraham Maslow, a famous social scientist.

 

Maslow was of the view that needs have priority, i.e., needs are satisfied in an order. As soon as the lower level needs are satisfied. Those on the next higher level emerge. Thus, he considered an individual's motivation behavior as a predetermined order of needs. According to Maslow, the basic human needs are set in a hierarchy as follows:

 

Physiological needs: These needs are basic for human survival and include need for food, water, air, shelter, sleep, thirst, etc.

 

Security or safety needs: These are needs for physical safety as well as psychological security and include safety of person and property, security of job and need for a predictable, secure and safe environment.

 

Social needs: These are needs for belongingness, friendship, love, affection, attention and social acceptance.

 

Esteem or ego needs: These are needs for self-esteem and need for other esteem needs. Self-esteem needs include needs for self-respect, self-confidence, competence, autonomy and knowledge. Other esteem needs relate to reputation, prestige, power, status, recognition and respect of others.

 

Self-actualization needs: This is the need “to be what one is capable of becoming” and include need for optional development of potential abilities, knowledge and skills, need to be creative and achieve self-fulfillment.