Abraham Maslow

The Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow studied the result of frustration in the development of a child. He found certain needs, that fall into a hierarchy of demands. Those at the bottom of this Ziggurat are the most important. Without these being satisfied, the upper levels may not develop well, if at all. This is a simple digest of his theory. A Theory is just that, a model to build from. It is the tutor who decides how to apply the theory.

The Hierarchy of Needs

Physiological needs,

such as hunger and sleep, are dominant and are the basis of motivation. Unless they are satisfied, everything else suffers and recedes. For example, students who frequently do not eat breakfast or suffer from poor nutrition generally become lethargic and withdrawn; their learning potential is severely lowered. This is particularly true of adolescents, who can be extremely sensitive to their weight.

A word of warning is in order, here. The parent should take care not to equate the parent’s love with the needs that are being met. If this happens, then if a child wants something, such as an ice cream, and if that ice cream is equated with mother’s love, then denial of that ice cream will be denial of mother’s love, according to that child.

Safety Needs;

represent the importance of security, protection, stability, freedom from fear and anxiety, and the need for structure and limits. For example, individuals who are afraid of school, of peers, of a superior, or of a parent's reaction have their safety needs threatened and their well being can be affected.

Emotional Needs

love and belonging is the need for family and friends. Healthy, motivated people wish to avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation. People who feel alone, not part of the group, or who lack any sense of belongingness usually have poor relationships with others, which can then affect their achievement in life.

Social Needs

refer to others reactions to us as individuals as well as our opinion of ourselves. We want a favorable judgment from others, which should be based on honest achievement. Our own sense of competence combines with others the reactions to produce a sense of self-esteem. Consequently, we must acquire competence and find the opportunities that permit us to achieve and to secure reinforcement, both from others and our own sense of satisfaction in what we have done.

Aesthetic Needs

are the needs to use our abilities to the fullest extent. Maslow referred to this tendency, in spit of the lower needs being satisfied, to feel restlessness we are doing what we think we are capable of doing. Maslow noted that musicians must make music, artists must paint, and writers must write. The form that needs take isn't important. One person may desire to be a great parent, another may want to be an outstanding athlete. Regardless of the profession, what a human can be, they must be.