Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was one of the founders of humanistic psychology
- He was interested in what motivated people and how to achieve self-actualisation
- Maslow devised a hierarchy of needs, which outlines the path that is taken to achieve self-actualisation
Maslow's hierarchy of needs
Self-actualisation
- Self-actualisation represents the achievement of a person's full potential
- Most people will strive to achieve self actualisation and become the best version of themselves
- Self-actualisation is at the highest level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and cannot be reached before the other four levels of needs have been met
- Level 1: Physiological needs, including, water, food and shelter
- Level 2: Safety needs, including, security, structure and protection
- Level 3: Social needs, including, friendship, love and intimacy
- Level 4: Esteem needs, including positive self-thoughts, achievement and reputation
- Level 5: Self-actualisation, including self-fulfilment
- Although self-actualisation is the ultimate goal not everyone will achieve it for a variety of reasons e.g. unexpected life events, personality factors, socioeconomic factors, illness etc.
