Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a popular theory of motivation, happiness, and survival which includes several facets of the human experience. As complex beings, humans have a number of needs that vary in complexity. According to Maslow’s hierarchy theory, certain basic needs must be met before individuals can progress up the hierarchy to address more complex needs.² 

For example, think about trying to go to the gym when you are really hungry. It can be difficult to think of anything else when we’re hungry, and our energy levels plummet. Without addressing this physiological need, it is unlikely that you would be motivated or able to engage in a need higher up on the pyramid, such as self-growth. According to Maslow, it is in the higher stages of the pyramid that true happiness can be found (although one could argue that food can also bring true happiness!).

At its core, Maslow’s theory of motivation sought to examine what makes people happy and what motivates them to act in the ways they do.² Maslow believed that fundamental human desires were universal even though some particular desires may be unique to certain people or groups.⁴ Because of his belief, he was able to characterize human needs into five categories based on how prominent each was in human consciousness, resulting in a pyramid of hierarchy of needs:

1. Physiological needs: basic biological needs, such as food, water and sleep, which are essential for human survival
2. Safety needs: the need to feel secure and safe. Examples include emotional security, physical security, job security, and financial security
3. Belongingness and love needs: human desire to have friends, family, and romantic relationships in order to feel accepted and experience social connection
4. Esteem needs: need to be appreciated and respected, which boosts our self-esteem
5. Self-actualization needs: the need to achieve our full potential and find meaning or purpose in life, which will then lead to happiness.²

The hierarchy suggests that the first four stages are all deficiency needs, meaning they arise from deprivation. Deficiency needs become more intense the longer they are not met. Diving in deeper, the first two levels are considered important for physical survival. The last stage, self-actualization needs, is considered a “growth need,” which, instead of arising due to deprivation, arises due to a desire to become a better person.² Self-actualizing people tend to be self-aware, concerned with personal growth, and pay less attention to the opinions of others.