Abraham Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Theory Essay Sample, Ireland 

The following sample has been written on Maslow’s behavioural science theory or hierarchy of needs theory. This theory could be of great help to the psychological and behavioral management students.

The needs that are focused on under this Maslow theory of needs are adult needs which are divided into five major levels. The five stages of needs are – physiological needs, safety needs, love and belongingness, esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory starts off from the psychological needs which are very primitive and basic human needs required for the functioning of the body.

When the lower needs of a person are fulfilled he moves on to the next stage of need. Every person is capable of reaching the self-actualization level. While some stressful or eventful incidents of life could put an individual hanging between the different levels of hierarchy.

Five levels of Maslow’s hierarchical needs and their examples 

The five levels of Maslow’s hierarchical needs theory vary from the lower need to the highest form of needs of an individual.

(1) Physiological /basic needs

These are the basic or biological needs of an individual. These needs are to be fulfilled to take care of the body and for its basic functioning of it. Without fulfillment of these basic needs, an individual cannot think of meeting the other high levels of needs.

Example

Food, shelter, clothing, breathing, nutrition, sex, water and other bodily requirements etc.

(2) Safety and security needs

After fulfilling of basic needs of a person, he needs a sense of safety and security at his work and in the environment in which he resides. This mostly includes safety from family and friends side who are emotional support for any person.

Example

It includes financial security in the form of a secured job, workplace safety and hygiene, food safety, safe place of residence, health and life insurance, savings in the account, support from family, safety from health hazards, an emotional security, safety of his property and his well being.

(3) Love and feeling of belongingness needs

This could be categorized as the third tier of needs of a person. Every person is a social animal and he needs some trustworthy and honest relationships in his life to rely upon. Fulfillment of any social need leads to strong social interpersonal relationships.

Example

Friendship, trust, intimacy, acceptance, love and affection, belongingness to a particular community or social group (family, work, friends), churches and religious organizations, sports team, book clubs etc.

(4) Esteem Needs

Esteem needs are the desire to have dignity, self-respect, self-value, self-worth, a feeling of sense of achievement, and excelling in a field. The desire for social status and reputation in society and getting respect from others also boosts our esteem and confidence level.

As our basic needs get fulfilled our horizon of needs widens up as we desire more.

Example

Participation in a team, taking part in hobbies, participation in professional activities all raises the self worth and esteem of a person. Such people have better trust and confidence in themselves.

(5) Self Actualisation needs

It is the highest form of desire or need that can only be achieved through the self-satisfaction of a particular person.

Self-actualization is an accomplishment of a person that one can be and could attain or achieve in life. This is one need that varies from person to person as it’s not important that one person’s self-actualization need is also another person’s need.

Self-actualization is a journey that can be achieved in various ways as it includes the personal experience and growth of an individual. It can be achieved through the attainment of the greatest height in any respective field of life whether in education, sports, corporate, etc.

This need can only be measured by the degree of happiness felt by a person according to Maslow. This can be achieved through self-fulfillment, knowing one’s potential, and taking into account all personal experiences and growth. It is a continous process and not a perfect state of achievement. One has to work continously to achieve this self actualization goal.

Example

Cooking, travelling to new places, learning a new language, gardening, caring for others, designing, music, athletics, winning awards etc.

 Characteristics of people who have reached the self-actualized hierarchial need of Maslow’s theory

• They are highly creative at their work and can achieve their satisfaction through creativity and achievement in creativity and arts.
• These people are practical in approach and efficient by nature and have a high tolerance for uncertainity in future plans and events.
• They can even try out new ways of doing things and not stick to the old traditional practices.
• Self-actualized people could establish relationships that are satisfying with few people. They do not need many people to gel up.
• These people listen to their own intuitions, values or feelings while evaluating of their experiences.

Drawbacks of Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs theory 

• The hierarchical needs or level of needs may not be correct for every individual. Some people may not have any self-actualization needs at all. This may not be the right hierarchy of needs for some people.
• There is also no scientific research or test to prove that self-actualization needs can be measured in a particular way. Since there is no scientific backing up of it.

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The above essay sample is based on the Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. This theory could also be read with Elton Mayo Human Relations theory and Taylor’s motivational theory.

Students of Behavioural science, Management, Childcare, Human Resource Management, and of Psychology could refer to this sample to write assignments based on adult needs, additional needs child, Special needs assistance (SNA) , Child behaviour, etc.

Students could either hire an essay writer from any online essay service or our expert Irish assignment writers could help them to write plagiarised free college assignments before time.