Business

MASLOW’S
NEED
HIERARCHY
THEORY
ASSUMPTIONS
It is the most simple and widely accepted theory.
Maslow’s theory is based on certain assumptions or
prepositions. They are :-
1. Wants of human beings are unlimited. As soon as 1
want is satisfied, another want come in its place.
2. Only needs which are not yet satisfied influence human
behavior. So an unsatisfied need acts as a motivator.
3. The needs are arranged in order of importance and
its arranged in a hierarchy.
4. As soon as lower needs are satisfied, then on the
next higher level need emerge and demand satisfaction.
5. Further up the hierarchy the person is able to go ,
the more individuality , humaneness and psychological
health he or she will pay/get.
Types of Needs
There are 2 types of needs namely
( a ) Primary needs
( b ) Secondary needs
1. Primary Needs: ( Basic or Physiological needs )
These are those needs which are very important for the
survival of life. These needs are universal and everyone
need it. Food, water, air, shelter, sleep, clothing are egs
of such needs.
2. Secondary needs:
These are those needs which are related to mind and
spirit. These needs are developed in individual when
he becomes matured or old. These include self esteem,
sense of duty , self assertion etc….
Maslow’s Hierarchy of
needsPhysiological
01 needs / Basic 02 Safety Needs
needs
Social needs Esteem
03 (belonging or 04 Needs
love needs)
05 Self Actualization Needs

Physiological
Needs / Basic
Needs
 It is the most basic,
powerful of all human
needs.
 It is the need for physical
survival.
 This includes need for
food, water, Air, sleep,
shelter, protection from
Extreme temperature ( like tooo hot , tooo cold etc…).
 In the organizational context, basic salary helps to
satisfy these needs.
 Before the individual is motivated by higher order
needs, he/she needs to satisfy this need.
 A person who is not able to satisfy his basic level
needs, he will not attempt to satisfy a higher level
need.
Safety Needs
Once basic needs are
met, another set of
motives/needs arises.
These needs are
termed as safety or
security needs
These needs provide
security and protection
from physical and emotional harm.
 This need include, job security, stability of income,
pension plans, safe working condition, etc….
 Management can influence these needs by providing
security against insecurities providing pension
scheme, group insurance, provident fund etc….
Social Needs / Affiliation/Belonging
Needs rd
 It is the 3 level in the
hierarchy of needs.
 These needs arises when
the first 2 needs are
satisfied.
 These needs refer to
affection, sense of
belongingness and
friendship – professional friendship and friendly
supervision.
 In organization if there is a friendly relation then only
people will feel to work there. If there is no friendly
nature then people won’t feel to work in that place
happily.
Esteem Needs
Esteem needs are classified
into 2:-
1. Self esteem
2. Public esteem
Self esteem means respect
in the eyes of self
( individual ). It includes
confidence, personal
strength, achievement,
independence, freedom,
etc….
 Public esteem means respect from others it includes:
prestige, recognition and appreciation.
 These factors overall includes : self-respect, status,
recognition, attention, job title, etc…
 To fulfill self esteem needs, management provides
challenging work assignments, personal
encouragement, etc… to employees.
Self Actualization
Needs
It is the highest level of
need in the hierarchy.
It refers to the drive to
become what 1 is capable
of becoming.
It is the person’s desire to
reach the peak of one’s
potential.
It is considered as the mission of the life of a
person.
These needs include :- growth, self-fulfillment,
achievement of goals, etc...
Merits
The theory offers some useful ideas to managers for
motivating employees. The managers are able to
identify employee’s needs ; the difference in needs
which give satisfaction to employees.
It considers interpersonal variations in human
behaviour. Each employee maybe in 1 level of
Maslow's need hierarchy. The suggestion is that the
desired behaviour should be occurred when the
employee is satisfied according to his prepotent need
( like preplanned needs ).
 It is known that man is never satisfied. Satisfaction of 1
want will lead to another want. This theory mentions
that motivation is a constantly changing force. It aims
for fulfillment of new and higher level of needs.
The theory gives us an idea about how many dominant
needs have changed overtime from economic to social
to self-actualisation needs.
The theory explains to the management that the man is
not living for food only. They have different needs.
Demerits
The hierarchy of needs is not always present. The needs
are present at a given time. For eg:- a person who is
motivated by self-actualisation needs want food.
There are many determinants of behavior other than needs
and desire such as expectations, experience etc… Thus the
behaviour of man is not a result of desires and needs only.
If we assume, hierarchy of needs exist, it may not be same
in all countries. It maybe different to different countries
 A person is not motivated by 1 need. He is motivated
with a no. of needs at the same time.
 People may differ in their expectations. The same
need does not lead to the same response to all
individuals.
 The satisfaction of 1 need may not raise another
higher need in all times.
 Managers will not have time to restfully diagnose
( identify) as to where the employee stands in
Maslow's hierarchy.
 Contrary to Maslow's belief, many individuals may
stay content with lower level needs. They will not go
to satisfy higher level needs.
 Certain individuals do not have lower needs, because
it is lost in childhood.
DONE BY :
H.Uthirasri
Bcom Finance A
Roll no: 13

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MASLOW’S

05 Self Actualization Needs

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