psychology2010:

psychology2010:

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 

Maslow postulated a hierarchy of needs as source of motivation, with the most basic needs being physiological needs. If we are hungry and thirsty, our attention is riveted on meeting these basic needs. Next are the safety needs, which include a sense of security and stability. Once our physical and safety needs are fulfilled, we become concerned with meeting our needs for belonging and love, followed by working on our need for esteem, both from self and others. We are able to strive toward self-actualization only after these four basic needs are met. The key factor determining which need is dominant at a given time is the degree to which those below it are satisfied. We cannot strive toward self-actualization, for example, if our self-esteem is low.