ABRAHAM MASLOW'S HIERARCHY THEORY
Abraham
Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory
In 1943
Abraham Maslow suggested his theory of motivation. In his theory, he identified
five sets of human need arranged in hierarchy of their importance and priority.
He stated that when one set of need is
satisfied, it ceases to be a motivating factor. Thereafter, the next set of
need in the hierarchy takes its position.
Maslow’s need theory has received wide recognition, particularly among
practicing managers. The following is the order of need suggested by Maslow:
1.Physiological need or Basic needs.
2. Safety
needs.
3. Social
needs (Need for belongingness and love.)
4. Esteem
needs.
5.
Self-actualization needs.
- Physiological
Needs
Physiological needs are basic needs such as
need for air, water, food, sleep, physical need satisfaction etc. When these are not satisfied we may feel
sickness, irritation, pain, discomfort, etc. These feelings motivate us to
satisfy them as soon as possible.
- Safety
Needs
When
the physiological needs are satisfied, safety needs arise. Safety needs is the
need for security and stability in an uncertain world. They include the need
for protection against danger, deprivation, arbitrary management actions etc.
Safety needs motivate people to seek job security, life time employment, take
insurance etc.
- Social needs
After physiological and safety needs are satisfied, social needs become
important motivators. The social need include the need for belonging,
friendship, to love and be loved. Humans have a desire to belong to clubs, work
groups religious groups, family etc. To fulfill social needs people become
friends, get married, join clubs or
associations.
- Esteem
Needs
They are also known as ego needs. There are two types of esteem needs.
First is self – esteem, which results from mastery of a task. These needs
related to self confidence, independence, competence and achievement. Second,
is the need for attention and recognition
from others. Esteem needs are satisfied by becoming highly qualified, getting
respectable jobs, driving very expensive cars etc. The are related to seeking
reputation, recognition, status, reward and appreciation etc.
5. Self Actualization
It is
the desire to achieve all that one is capable of achieving. It refers to
maximizing one’s potential and achieving excellence in one’s field.
Features of
Maslow's’ Theory
Ø Human needs are infinite and never ending.
Satisfaction of one need gives rise to the next one.
Ø Physiological,
security and social needs are lower level needs. Self esteem and self
actualization needs are higher level needs.
Ø Human
needs have a hierarchy. Higher level
needs emerge only after the lower level needs are atleast partially satisfied.
Ø Satisfied
need are not motivators. Only the unfulfilled needs induce a person to work
towards satisfying them
Ø Human
needs are interdependent and over lapping in nature
Merits of
Maslow's’ Theory
Ø It provides an useful framework to understand
human needs.
Ø It
suggested that managers should identify the need level of employees before
deciding upon motivation factors.
Demerits of
Maslow's’ Theory
Ø It is too simplistic in nature.
Ø The
theory may not be applicable in all cultures.
Ø It
lacks research evidence.
Ø It is difficult to measure the extent to which
one need should be satisfied before the next one arises.
Ø Since
man has multiple needs, it is not necessary that only one need is satisfied at
a particular time.
Ø It is not necessary that only after satisfying
lower level needs the higher level needs emerge. Some people may neglect lower
level needs and focus on satisfying their higher level needs.
References
1. Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review,
50(4), 370-396.
2. Maslow, A. H. (1954). Motivation and personality. Harper & Brothers.
3. Maslow, A. H. (1962). Toward a psychology of being. Van Nostrand Reinhold.
4. Maslow, A. H. (1971). The farther reaches of human nature. Viking Press.
5. Maslow, A. H. (1934). Dominance,
personality, and social behavior in
women. Journal of Social Psychology, 5(2), 171-191.
6. . Maslow, A. H. (1969). The need to know and the need not to know. Journal of
Humanistic Psychology, 9(2), 121-135.
7.
Koltko-Rivera, M. E. (2006). Rediscovering the later version of Maslow's hierarchy of
needs. Review of General Psychology, 10(4), 302-317.
8. Organisational
Behaviour – S.S. Khanka , S. Chand
9. Organisational Behaviour – Aswathappa
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