Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a description of the needs that motivate human behavior. In 1943, Abraham Maslow proposed five different kinds of human needs, beginning with the most basic: survival.

Physiological needs, such as food and shelter, are followed by needs related to safety. Next, there are needs of love and belonging. Fourth, human have needs of esteem, such as the need for being respected. The final need in the hierarchy is the need for self-actualisation (fulfilling one’s potential). The hierarchy suggests that basic needs must be met prior to less basic needs, for example, a starving person will seek food before self-actualisation.

The well known approach to motivation is Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory. He hypothesized within every human being exists a hierarchy of five needs.

1. Physiological needs Include hunger, thirst, shelter and other bodily needs. At work level, this need can be met through by providing good working conditions, attractive salary, subsidized housing, free food etc.

2. Safety needs Includes security and protection from physical and emotional harm. At work level, this need can be met by providing safe working conditions, private health insurance cover, Attractive pension provisions etc.

3. Social needs Includes affection, a sense of belonging, acceptance and friendship. The following can be provided to take care of these needs, company sports and social clubs, office parties, outings, permission for informal activities and encouraging open communication.

4. Esteem Needs Include internal factors such as self-respect, autonomy and achievement, external factors such as status, recognition and attention. It can be provided through regular positive feedback, prestigious job titles, photographs in company news letter, promotions etc.

5. Self actualization Need The drive to become what one is capable of becoming; includes growth, achieving one’s potential and self fulfillment, Challenging job alignments, Promotion opportunities and encouraging creativity are fulfilling these needs.

According to Maslow, if you want to motivate someone you need to understand at what level of hierarchy that person is currently on and focus on satisfying needs at or above that level to move forward.

Maslow separated the five needs into higher and lower orders.

·           Lower order Needs – Physiological and safety needs.

·           Higher order Needs – Social, and self actualisation.

Higher order needs are satisfied internally (within the person) whereas lower order needs are predominantly satisfied externally (by things such as pay)

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Implications of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs theory

This model helps the managers to understand and deal with issues of employees motivation at the workplace. Managers who understand the need patterns of their staffs can help the employees to engage in the kind of work activities and provide the type of work environment that will satisfy their needs at work.