Humans naturally desire more and more with each passing day and every success. The famous American psychologist, Abraham Maslow, believed that everything that we do is motivated by certain physiological and psychological needs. In 1943, he proposed a hierarchy of needs model and classified them as basic needs to complex needs. He believed that, before moving towards other complex needs, our basic survival needs must be fulfilled.
Maslow classified human needs into five categories and supported this idea by saying “A person who is lacking food, safety, love, and esteem would most probably hunger for food more strongly than for anything else.” Here are the five human needs in order as per the Maslow’s Hierarchy Of Needs.
1. Physiological Needs
Can you imagine life without food and water? Certainly not! Physiological needs are the most basic needs that a human being requires in order to survive and function optimally. Until and unless these needs are met, a person cannot think of moving toward their other needs.
Some examples of physiological needs include air, water, food, and shelter. Apart from these, other basic needs include good hygiene, clothing, sleep, and sexual reproduction. In this block, we have described about some physiological human needs in detail.
Breathing, Eating, and Drinking
We cannot imagine a life without air, food, and water. Our existence entirely depends on them. We start becoming restless if we don’t get oxygen for even a few seconds. However, proper food and safe water are also essential to stay fit and function properly. So, make sure you practice healthy food habits.
Shelter
Along with food and water, shelter is another crucial need of humans in order to survive. It protects us against extreme weather such as snowstorms and tornados and also keeps us away from potential predators, and helps prevent health problems and diseases.
Homeostasis
Homeostasis is the self-regulating process that helps the body maintain a stable internal condition while adjusting to the changes in the outer environment so that our body can function properly.
2. Security and Safety Needs
After meeting the required basic physiological needs, human desires start to become a bit complex. At the second level of Maslow’s hierarchy comes security and safety needs. These are considered to be primary needs after the fulfillment of basic needs. Safety needs are more focused on having a safe environment to live in.
Financial security, health and wellness, and safety against accidents and injury are the basic needs that a person looks for after physiological needs. Apart from these, other safety needs include freedom from fear, law and order, social stability, and emotional security. Here we have described some important safety needs.
Job and Employment
In order to earn and fulfill basic needs, we all need money, and that comes only from jobs. Having a secure job is something that everyone wishes to have in their life as it will lead to financial security, and satisfy our needs. One should choose career that fits their other needs also so a great job for good family life is the best.
Salary and Stable Environment
A stable and safe environment along with salary security is what every employee looks for in a job. Salary and work environment have a huge impact on employee satisfaction and hence are considered a safety need.
Health and Wellness
Having security against accidents and injuries, sickness, and physical safety is considered very important. This is why people purchase things like insurance and have savings so that they can have a feeling of security.
Human beings are social animals who need love and a sense of belonging. After the fulfillment of physiological and safety needs, humans search for love and acceptance in the community. They look for emotional attachments, which is very important for mental well-being as it helps avoid depression, anxiety, and loneliness.
Having a good relationship with family and friends falls under this need. Other things like being involved in romantic relationships, community groups, social groups, and organizations also satisfy a human’s need to socialize. Some social needs are explained in this block below.
Friendships and Family Relationships
Having friends and family that you can always count on, makes you more social and it gives you a certain kind of confidence, which makes you feel you belong somewhere.
Romantic Attachments
As a human being, we all need a partner who can support us emotionally when we are at our lowest. Relationships makes us feel more loved and cherished.
Community & Social Groups
Joining different community groups like book clubs, church groups, sports clubs, and social groups such as Rotaract and Rotary is an amazing way to network with people around you. It not only gives you like-minded friends but also fills you with a purpose.
4. Esteem Needs
Esteem needs fall in the fourth of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. When a person’s basic needs are fulfilled, they start desiring appreciation and respect. Maslow divided esteem needs into two categories such as having self-confidence and desiring respect from others.
Self-worth, self-confidence, accomplishment, and respect satisfy this need. Other things that satisfy esteem needs are acknowledgment, independence, dignity, and status. In this segment, we have explained some esteem needs.
Prestige and Respect
Human beings often seek respect from others and want good prestige for themselves, as they move forward in life. As per Maslow, the need for respect is crucial for young teenagers and children.
Accomplishment and Success
People want to accomplish things, be successful, and desire to be recognized by others. They start having a desire to be appreciated in work, home, and community as a whole.
Self-confidence
When a person’s self-esteem increases, their self-confidence automatically rises up, and they have a need for autonomy. They desire to be independent and don’t want to be told how to act. Some self-love quotes and stories are useful to boost your confidence sometimes.
5. Self Actualization Needs
Life is more than earning money and having all the luxuries. It’s about knowing your inner self and realizing one’s potential and talents. After all other needs are satisfied, people tend to look for self-development and growth. They want to do their best as they realize their capabilities and strive for self-fulfillment as it gives them a purpose.
Some needs that satisfy self-actualization are being recognized and rewarded, being creative, and growing every day. Other self-actualization needs include being true to your values, achieving inner peace, and accepting yourself. Below we have described some self-actualization needs.
Rewards and Recognitions
People want to be credited for their work. As humans, they have a desire to be appreciated and recognized. They want others to notice their accomplishments, and this makes them content.
Personal Growth
Personal growth is the process of learning more about yourself and honing your talents, developing new skills, and increasing your overall well-being.
Creativity
Life is not just about making money, it is also about being creative and discovering yourself. People when they reach their peak level, want to learn new skills, enhance their current talent, think out of the box, and solve problems in a creative manner.