Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid: The Self-Actualization Theory

1 Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid: The Self-Actualization Theory Mykim Tran, PhD, Wake-Up Foundation Self-actualization is a process where an individual is on a quest to learn, grow, and be creative to use their abilities to form an integrated personality, a whole “self.” It can also be viewed as a process and realization that the self and the environment are two pieces of a greater whole: the holistic self (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). Kurt Goldstein coined the term selfactualization in the early part of the 20th century. However, the term was not noticed in mainstream society until Abraham Maslow used it in his Hierarchy of Needs pyramid in 1943. Goldstein and Maslow observed that there is a fundamental quest for individuals to discover who they are and must be by searching for knowledge and trust to become the best possible they can 2 be to reach self-actualization (Ivtzan et al., 2013). Maslow also believed every human could intuitively know how to become mentally healthy and happy. Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid Abraham Maslow introduced the Hierarchy of Needs pyramid in his 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” in the Psychological Review journal. Then, it took root in mainstream society in 1954 (Winston, 2016). There are five levels of needs on the pyramid: (1) physiological needs, (2) safety needs, (3) belonging needs, (4) esteem needs, and (5) selfactualization needs. Physiological needs refer to necessary things for survival, such as breathable air, food, shelter, and water. Safety needs are things that make individuals feel safe such as knowing that their water is clean, having adequate shelter, and living in a secure environment. Belonging needs are met through feeling liked, loved, and accepted by others. Esteem needs are achieved by feeling self-confident and being respected by others. Finally, self-actualization needs are met when individuals engage in self-development and use their abilities to become their best selves. Maslow also considered the four lower needs as deficient (D-needs) or gratification needs, and the fifth as higher needs (B-needs). Maslow proposed that lower needs motivate the emergence of higher needs, culminating in the need for self-actualization. The higher individuals are on the pyramid, the higher their motivation level (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). Maslow argued that human behaviors are driven by needs, also called goals. Individuals will want to pursue a higher goal as they fulfill it. For example, as individuals meet a certain degree of the bottom levels, such as food and shelter, they develop higher needs to develop selfesteem and reach self-actualization (Ivtzan et al., 2013). There is flexibility on how much individuals need to fulfill their bottom needs before pursuing and achieving self-actualization. For instance, some individuals might go hungry on certain days, pay little attention to their physiological needs, and still creatively use their strengths and talents to reach self-actualization. Furthermore, the bottom needs do not necessarily have to emerge in the given order presented by the hierarchy pyramid for individuals to reach self-actualization. Individuals can 3 fulfill their belonging needs first before their physiological and safety needs. Also, needs recur over time depending on numerous personal and environmental variables. However, meeting the bottom needs first can make it easier for individuals to reach self-actualization than not meeting those needs (Winston, 2016). For instance, individuals with enough to eat and feel safe in their environment can experience less worry and stress; therefore, they can give more attention and time to learning and developing their skills to reach self-actualization. However, most commonly, self-actualized individuals arise in the order specified by Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Reaching Self-Actualization Self-actualized individuals are motivated to learn and become mature to fulfill their Bneeds. For these individuals, deficit needs are only to be satisfied enough to motivate them to fulfill higher needs, B-needs. For example, when a lower need is satisfied to a certain extent, these individuals give their time and attention to higher needs. In other words, the deficit needs to be motivated to grow behaviors to fulfill the B-needs. Self-actualized individuals are less motivated by achieving fame, wealth, or influence. Instead, they are more motivated by intrinsic development, focusing more on growth-oriented than deficiency-focused (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). Maslow stated that when individuals understand and realize that self-actualization is not about making the most money or achieving the highest status, opportunities for enjoyment and fulfillment can be more accessible. Reaching self-actualization is based on leveraging one’s ability to reach their potential. The individual process and motivation will help them reach self-actualization (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). It is also a natural and dynamic lifelong growth process with total concentration and absorption, developing into a full, transparent, and selfless experience (Ivtzan et al., 2013). Selfactualization involves a strong sense of purpose and self-awareness. The process often requires individuals to abandon familiar comforts and explore new possibilities. It is also vital that individuals develop and have courage, commitment, creativity, and the ability to take risks (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). As individuals learn to develop and grow their strengths and talents to become their ideal selves, they are closer to self-actualization. 4 Self-actualization is not a permanent state. For individuals to maintain self-actualization, they must continue learning to acquire new knowledge and skills to be creative in using their abilities (Ivtzan et al., 2013). Furthermore, individuals travel between several levels up and down the hierarchy pyramid over their lifespan based on life circumstances, individual choices, and mental health. For instance, individuals experiencing stress because of survivor needs such as food and shelter would give more of their focus to achieving those needs instead of the higher needs such as creativity and self-expression (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). Once they fulfilled enough of the lower needs, they will give their attention back to the higher needs. Outcomes Individuals who reach self-actualization can experience intrinsic benefits. Self-actualized individuals can make their own decisions despite contrary opinions, peer expectations, and other conventional stressors (Compton, 2018). They trust themselves rather than rely on external factors to make decisions. They are more accepting of their flaws and mindful of their weaknesses. They are independent, self-confident, and resourceful in using their abilities to achieve their goals and fulfill their purpose and mission in life. These individuals can positively self-assess things, situations, and people (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). Self-actualized individuals tend to have deeper, healthier, and more meaningful interpersonal relationships than those who are not self-actualized. They express empathy and respect the autonomy and individuality of others, and can express genuine empathy. Individuals who drive toward self-actualization can also bring benefits to society. These individuals tend to lead to a more solidary, compassionate, caring, problem-solving, and altruistic lifestyle. Maslow stated that individuals are born selfish, but as they move toward selfactualization, they gradually become selfless and compassionate to create a flourishing society (Compton, 2018). Even though fulfilling the bottom needs is more focused on self-interest, as individuals move up the pyramid to fulfill higher needs, they tend to dedicate more time and causes outside of themselves and family, which results in selfless behaviors. Therefore, 5 individuals who follow a growth motivation path can shift focus from self-interest to social interest, resulting in personal satisfaction and communal peace (D’Souza & Gurin, 2016). 6 References Compton, W. (2018, March). Self-actualization myths: What did Maslow really say? Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1177/0022167818761929 D’Souza, J., & Gurin, M. (2016). The universal significance of Maslow’s concept of selfactualization. The Humanistic Psychologist, 44(2), 210–214. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000027 Ivtzan, I., Gardner, H., Bernard, I., Sekhon, M., & Hart, R. (2013). Well-being through selffulfillment: Examining developmental aspects of self-actualization. The Humanistic Psychologist, 41(2), 119–132. https://doi.org/10.1080/08873267.2012.71207 Winston, C. N. (2016). An existential-humanistic-positive theory of human motivation. The Humanistic Psychologist, 44(2), 142–163. https://doi.org/10.1037/hum0000028