Is hierarchy of need a theory?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory is regarded as one of the most popular theories on motivation. It is a theory of psychology that explains that humans are highly motivated in order to fulfill their needs, which is based on hierarchical order.

It was first introduced by Abraham Maslow in 1943 for his paper titled Theory of Motivation and is based on a hierarchy of needs, which starts with the most basic needs and subsequently moves on to higher levels.

The main goal of this need hierarchy theory is to attain the highest position or the last of the needs, i.e need for self actualization.

In business studies, it is used as a part of organisational behaviour and also regularly used in psychology lectures.

Levels of Hierarchy

The levels of hierarchy in Maslow’s need hierarchy theory appear in the shape of a pyramid, where the most basic need is placed at the bottom while the most advanced level of hierarchy is at the top of the pyramid.

Maslow was of the view that a person can only move to the subsequent level only after fulfilling the needs of the current level. The needs at the bottom of the pyramid are those which are very basic and the most complex needs are placed on the top of the pyramid.

Let us read in detail about the various steps in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory.

1. Physiological needs: The physiological needs are regarded as the most basic of the needs that humans have. These are needs that are very crucial for our survival. The examples of physiological needs are food, shelter, warmth, health, homeostasis and water, etc.

In addition to all the above needs, Abraham Maslow also included sexual reproduction as one of the most common needs as it is essential for the survival of the species.

2. Safety Needs: Once the basic needs of food, shelter, water, etc are fulfilled, there is an innate desire to move to the next level. The next level is known as the safety needs. Here the primary concern of the individual is related to safety and security.

Safety and security can be regarding many things like a stable source of income that provides financial security, personal security from any kind of unnatural events, attacks by animals and emotional security and physical safety which is safety to health.

The various actions taken by an individual in ensuring safety and security are finding a job, getting an insurance policy, choosing a secure neighborhood for staying with family, etc.

3. Social Needs (Also known as Love and Belonging Needs): This is the third level in the need hierarchy theory. It is that stage where an individual having fulfilled his physiological needs as well as safety needs seeks acceptance from others in the form of love, belongingness.

In this stage, human behaviour is driven by emotions and the need for making emotional relationships is dominant here.

The following examples can satisfy this need:

1. Friendship

2. Family

3. Intimacy

4. Social Groups

When an individual is deprived of the above needs, he/she feels lonely and depressed.

4. Esteem needs: This is considered as the fourth level of the hierarchy of needs theory. It is related to the need of a person being recognised in the society. It deals with getting recognition, self respect in the society.

The need for recognition and acceptance arises when a person has fulfilled their need for love and belongingness.

In addition to recognition from others, there is a need for the person to develop self esteem and personal worth.

5. Self-actualization needs: This is the final level of the theory of hierarchy of needs as proposed by Maslow. It is the highest level of needs and is known as the self-actualization needs. It relates to the need of an individual to attain or realise the full potential of their ability or potential.

At this stage, all individuals try to become the best version of themselves. In other words, self actualisation is the journey of personal growth and development.

This concludes our article on the topic of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory, which is an important topic in Business Studies for Commerce students. For more such interesting articles, stay tuned to BYJU’S.

Abraham Maslow is well renowned for proposing the Hierarchy of Needs Theory in 1943. This theory is a classical depiction of human motivation. This theory is based on the assumption that there is a hierarchy of five needs within each individual. The urgency of these needs varies. These five needs are as follows-

1. Physiological needs- These are the basic needs of air, water, food, clothing and shelter. In other words, physiological needs are the needs for basic amenities of life.
2. Safety needs- Safety needs include physical, environmental and emotional safety and protection. For instance- Job security, financial security, protection from animals, family security, health security, etc.
3. Social needs- Social needs include the need for love, affection, care, belongingness, and friendship.
4. Esteem needs- Esteem needs are of two types: internal esteem needs (self- respect, confidence, competence, achievement and freedom) and external esteem needs (recognition, power, status, attention and admiration).
5. Self-actualization need- This include the urge to become what you are capable of becoming/what you have the potential to become. It includes the need for growth and self-contentment. It also includes desire for gaining more knowledge, social- service, creativity and being aesthetic. The self- actualization needs are never fully satiable. As an individual grows psychologically, opportunities keep cropping up to continue growing.

According to Maslow, individuals are motivated by unsatisfied needs. As each of these needs is significantly satisfied, it drives and forces the next need to emerge. Maslow grouped the five needs into two categories - Higher-order needs and Lower-order needs. The physiological and the safety needs constituted the lower-order needs. These lower-order needs are mainly satisfied externally. The social, esteem, and self-actualization needs constituted the higher-order needs. These higher-order needs are generally satisfied internally, i.e., within an individual. Thus, we can conclude that during boom period, the employees lower-order needs are significantly met.

FIGURE: Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Model

Implications of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory for Managers

As far as the physiological needs are concerned, the managers should give employees appropriate salaries to purchase the basic necessities of life. Breaks and eating opportunities should be given to employees.As far as the safety needs are concerned, the managers should provide the employees job security, safe and hygienic work environment, and retirement benefits so as to retain them.As far as social needs are concerned, the management should encourage teamwork and organize social events.As far as esteem needs are concerned, the managers can appreciate and reward employees on accomplishing and exceeding their targets. The management can give the deserved employee higher job rank/position in the organization.As far as self-actualization needs are concerned, the managers can give the employees challenging jobs in which the employees’ skills and competencies are fully utilized. Moreover, growth opportunities can be given to them so that they can reach the peak.The managers must identify the need level at which the employee is existing and then those needs can be utilized as push for motivation.

Limitations of Maslow’s Theory

• It is essential to note that not all employees are governed by same set of needs. Different individuals may be driven by different needs at same point of time. It is always the most powerful unsatisfied need that motivates an individual.
• The theory is not empirically supported.
• The theory is not applicable in case of starving artist as even if the artist’s basic needs are not satisfied, he will still strive for recognition and achievement.

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