Chapter 17. Building Maslow’s Hierarchy

Learning Objectives

hierarchy of needs
Maslow’s pyramid of human motives; basic physiological and safety needs must be met first; then, psychological needs take priority
self-actualization
the desire for self-fulfillment, to reach one’s full potential as a human being; sometimes treated as Maslow’s highest level of motivation
humanistic psychology
a perspective within psychology that tries to recognize and study the full richness of each individual human, including the potential for personal growth
motivation
an urge to perform a specific behavior to meet a physical or psychological need
Building Maslow’s Hierarchy
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A pyramid is divided into five levels, horizontally, to represent the five stages of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The base or first level of the pyramid is physiological needs, represented by an apple. The second level is safety needs, represented by a police car. The third level is belongingness and love needs, represented by a heart. The fourth level is esteem needs, represented by a graduation cap. The fifth level or top of the pyramid is self-actualization, represented by a trophy
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Learning Objectives:

Understand the basic aspects of Maslow’s theory of motivation.

Arrange the levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in the appropriate order.

Review

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1. Abraham Maslow was one of the founders of humanistic psychology, an important perspective within psychology. His theory of motivation is based on the idea that human motives can be arranged in a hierarchy of needs.

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The base or first level of Maslow's pyramid is physiological needs. The second level is safety needs. Together these two levels represent basic needs

2. Maslow proposed that some human motives take priority over others. For example, only when our physiological needs for oxygen, water, and food are met do we consider our need for a safe environment.

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The third level of Maslow's pyramid is belongingness and love needs. The fourth level is esteem needs. Together these two levels represent psychological needs

3. If these basic survival needs are met, we can try to satisfy our need to love and be loved. Next comes our need for achievement and respect.

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The top of the pyramid is self-actualization. This level represents self-fulfillment needs

4. According to Maslow, the highest human need is self-actualization (to reach one’s full potential as a person). It is only when all our other needs have been met that we can work toward becoming a fully actualized person, and only then can we work for the common good, even against our own interests.

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A pyramid is divided into five levels, horizontally, to represent the stages of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Each level has words representing that level. Physiological needs at the base of the pyramid include air, food, water, toilet, sleep, and sex. Safety needs at the second level include protection, home, job, health, and money. Belongingness and love needs at the third level include friendship, family, acceptance, love, group, warmth, and intimacy. Esteem needs at the fourth level include achievement, mastery, respect, confidence, and competence. Self-actualization at the top of the pyramid or fifth level includes full potential, searching, all, complete, best, and human

5. Although individual circumstances may change the relative power of each of these needs, Maslow's hierarchy provides a useful framework for thinking about motivated behaviors.

Practice: Exploring the Hierarchy of Needs

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Practice: Exploring the Hierarchy of Needs

Select each level of the hierarchy to see a brief description of that level in Maslow’s theory of motivation.

Description of needs at this level:

need to satisfy hunger and thirst for survival

need to feel safe, secure, and stable in a world that is predictable

need to love and be loved, to belong and be accepted

need to achieve, to feel competent and gain respect from others

need to reach one’s full potential as a human person

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Quiz 1

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Quiz 1

Drag each type of motive to the appropriate level of Maslow’s hierarchy. When all the motives have been placed, select the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Perhaps you should go back to review the levels in the hierarchy of needs.
Physiological needs
Self-actualization needs
Safety needs
Belongingness and love needs
Esteem needs

Quiz 2

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Quiz 2

Select the option that best completes the sentence. Then, press the CHECK ANSWER button.

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Try to answer the question again.
According to Maslow, humans can only reach their full potential after:
their needs for food and safety are met
their need for love is met
they feel competent and respected
all these needs are met

Conclusion

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A pyramid is divided into five levels, horizontally, to represent the five stages of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The base or first level of the pyramid is physiological needs, represented by an apple. The second level is safety needs, represented by a police car. The third level is belongingness and love needs, represented by a heart. The fourth level is esteem needs, represented by a graduation cap. The fifth level or top of the pyramid is self-actualization, represented by a trophy
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