Child & Adolescent Learners and Learning Principles LET REVIEWER
Lesson 33: Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Who is Abraham Maslow?
Abraham Maslow was a leading humanistic psychologist, sometimes called the "Third Force" in psychology because he introduced a new way of thinking beyond behaviorism and cognitivism. Maslow believed that people are naturally driven to grow, improve, and become the best version of themselves. He developed the concept of the Hierarchy of Needs, which explains what motivates people to do what they do. He also promoted the idea of "self-actualization," which is reaching your full potential and becoming everything you are capable of becoming.
- Maslow said that people have different levels of needs, and they work through these levels like climbing a ladder. You have to satisfy the lower needs before you can focus on higher, more meaningful needs.
Hierarchy of Needs - Maslow's theory says that there are levels of needs arranged like a pyramid, with the most basic needs at the bottom and the highest needs at the top. People climb this ladder one step at a time. Before you can focus on higher needs, your lower needs must be reasonably satisfied. The upward climb happens by satisfying one set of needs at a time.
- Satisfaction is a matter of degree, not all-or-nothing. A lower need does not have to be 100% perfectly satisfied before you focus on higher needs. It just has to be reasonably secure.
The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy
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| Image from Verywell Mind |
Level 1: Physiological Needs (Basic Survival)
These are the most basic survival needs of the body.
Physiological needs include:
- Food
- Water and liquid
- Sleep and rest
- Oxygen
- Sex
- Freedom of movement
- Moderate body temperature
Physiological needs are basic. The body craves food, water, sleep, oxygen, sex, freedom of movement. These are the things your body needs to stay alive and healthy. Without them, you cannot function well or think about anything else.
When these needs are not met, they dominate your thoughts and behavior. A hungry person will focus on finding food before thinking about anything else. A sleepy person cannot concentrate on schoolwork. A person who cannot breathe focuses only on getting air.
- Example: During a test, if you are extremely hungry, thirsty, or tired, you cannot focus well on the test questions because your body is demanding food, water, or sleep. A student who skipped breakfast might struggle to concentrate in class because their physiological need for food is not satisfied.
Level 2: Safety Needs (Security and Protection)
Once basic survival needs are reasonably satisfied, people become concerned with safety and security.
Safety needs include:
- Safety from physical attack or violence
- Safety from emotional abuse or rejection
- Protection from serious illness or disease
- Protection from war, invasion, or disaster
- Protection from losing important things like a job, home, or family members
Safety needs include safety from physical attack, emotional attack, fatal disease, invasion, and extreme losses such as losing a job, family members, home, or friends.
Once you have food and water, you need to feel safe. You need to know that you will not be hurt, attacked, or lose the important people and things in your life.
People at this level seek out stable housing, safe neighborhoods, reliable jobs, trustworthy relationships, and rules and order. They avoid danger and unpredictable situations.
- Example: A child who feels unsafe at home because of violence will have difficulty learning at school. An employee who fears being fired cannot focus on doing their job well because they are worried about losing their paycheck. A student who experiences bullying at school cannot focus on learning because they are worried about their safety.
Level 3: Love and Belonging Needs (Social Connections)
When physiological and safety needs are reasonably satisfied, social needs become important. People want to feel part of a group and connected to others.
The love and belongingness needs come into play after physiological and security needs are satisfied. Gratification is a matter of degree rather than an either-or accomplishment.
Love and belonging needs include three parts:
Part A: Inclusion - Being part of a group and feeling accepted by others.
- Being part of a family
- Being part of a peer group or friend group
- Being part of a classroom or school
- Being part of a club, team, or organization
- Being part of colleagues at work
You want to belong somewhere and be accepted by people around you.
- Example: A student wants to join the soccer team so they feel part of a group. A new employee wants to be invited to lunch by coworkers so they feel included.
Part B: Affection - Giving love and receiving love. Wanting to be loved and to love others.
- Feeling cared for by others
- Having close, warm relationships
- Feeling wanted and valued by people you care about
- Being able to give love and support to others
You want to love people and be loved by them. You want close, caring relationships.
- Example: A child wants hugs and affection from parents. A teenager wants a close friendship where they can share feelings. A person wants a romantic relationship where they feel loved and appreciated.
Part C: Control (Healthy Influence) - Having some influence and power over your own life and over others.
- Having choices and control over your own decisions
- Being able to influence what happens to you
- Having a voice in decisions that affect you
- Having some power or authority over certain things
You want to have some say in what happens to you. You do not want to feel completely helpless or powerless.
- Example: A student wants a say in what they are learning (choice). An employee wants to be asked their opinion about work decisions (influence). A person wants to be able to control their own schedule and make their own choices.
Level 4: Esteem Needs (Self-Worth and Recognition)
After social needs are satisfied, people want to feel good about themselves and be recognized and respected by others.
Esteem needs are of two types:
Part A: Self-Esteem (Internal) - Feeling good about yourself because you are competent and skilled at things.
- Feeling confident and capable
- Mastering skills and tasks
- Having achievements you are proud of
- Feeling independent and able to do things
- Having self-respect
You want to feel like you are good at things and can accomplish things. You want to respect yourself.
- Example: A student feels proud when they master a difficult math concept. An athlete feels confident after improving their skills. A worker feels good when they complete a difficult project successfully.
Part B: Recognition from Others (External) - Getting attention, praise, and recognition from other people. Being admired and respected.
- Receiving praise and compliments
- Being recognized for achievements
- Getting attention and appreciation
- Being treated with respect and admiration
- Having status or prestige
This relates to what McClelland calls the "need for power" - the desire to be admired and have influence.
You want other people to notice your achievements and respect you. You want praise and recognition.
- Example: A student is happy when their teacher says "Great job on that presentation!" A musician enjoys applause and approval from the audience. A worker appreciates being recognized as "Employee of the Month."
Level 5: Self-Actualization (Becoming Your Best Self)
The highest level. This is about becoming the best version of yourself and using all your potential.
Maslow described self-actualization as "the desire to become more and more what one is, to become everything that one is capable of becoming."
Self-actualization is about realizing your full potential and becoming everything you are capable of becoming. It is about personal growth, fulfillment, and living a meaningful life.
- Pursuing personal growth and improvement
- Developing your talents and abilities fully
- Solving problems and creating things
- Living according to your own values and beliefs
- Having experiences that feel meaningful
- Contributing to something larger than yourself
- Becoming the person you want to be
Example: A person who loves music might pursue self-actualization by becoming a musician and sharing their music with the world. A person who loves helping others might pursue self-actualization by becoming a teacher or doctor. A person might pursue self-actualization by starting a business, writing a book, creating art, or discovering new knowledge.
Review:
Level 1 (Physiological): You need food, water, sleep, and air to survive.
Level 2 (Safety): Once you have food and water, you want to feel safe and secure.
Level 3 (Love & Belonging): Once you feel safe, you want friends and relationships.
Level 4 (Esteem): Once you have good relationships, you want to feel good about yourself and be recognized.
Level 5 (Self-Actualization): Once all other needs are reasonably satisfied, you focus on becoming the best version of yourself.
💡Remember
Hierarchy of Needs: Five levels of human needs arranged in order of importance
Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs like food, water, and sleep
Safety Needs: Needs for protection, security, and stability
Love and Belonging Needs: Needs for relationships, inclusion, affection, and healthy influence
Inclusion: Feeling part of a group and accepted by others
Affection: Giving and receiving love and care
Control: Having influence over your own life and choices
Esteem Needs: Needs for self-respect and recognition from others
Self-Esteem: Feeling good about yourself through competence and achievement
Recognition: Getting praise, attention, and respect from others
Self-Actualization: Becoming everything you are capable of becoming; reaching your full potential
Humanistic Psychology: An approach that focuses on human growth, potential, and meaning
Third Force: Maslow's psychology, which came after behaviorism and cognitivism as a new way of thinking
Hierarchy of Needs Quiz: click here
