Psychologist Abraham Maslows Needs Hierarchy is the popular theory of human needs that helps us understand motivation. Maslow believed that people’s behavior was motivated by their desire to fulfill needs. These needs were arranged in a hierarchy from the most basic several needs at the bottom to self-fulfilling needs at the top.
Maslow identify five basic needs that explain the
internal motivation process: a) Physiological need, b) Safety need, c) Social
need, d) Esteem need, e) Self-actualization need.
a) Physiological need: The starting point for
understanding motivation is physiological need. Physiological need is
biological need such as for food, air, water etc. But once physiological needs
are fulfilled they lose their power to motivate.
b) Safety need: After fulfill their physiological need
they want safety need. It is very important needs for an employee or workers.
Safety need is security need such as the need to be financially secure and
protected against job loss. Safety needs can be satisfied by the creation of
seniority systems, pensions and insurance
plans.
c) Social need: Social need is the need to belong and to
interact with other people, i.e. friendship, group membership,. Once social
needs have been largely satisfied, they also begin to lose their power to
motivate.
d) Esteem need: Esteem need is the need for self-respect
and for respect from others. When the need for esteem is strong the individual
will often set difficult goals, work hard to achieve the goals, and expect to
receive recognition for these efforts. Goal accomplishment and the resulting
recognition lead to feelings of self-esteem and self-confidence.
e) Self-actualization need: The top of the need hierarchy
is self-actualization. Self-actualization is the need to use and display one’s
full range of skills and competence. Maslow noted that self-actualizing people
display certain characteristics:
·
They tend to be
serious and thoughtful.
·
They focus on
problems outside themselves
·
They are strongly
ethical
Their behavior is unaffected and natural.