MASLOW’S NEEDS THEORY AND ITS ANALYSIS

Maslow’s Need Theory
One of the most widely mentioned theories of motivation is the hierarchy of need theory put forth by
Abraham Maslow, one of the most widely known theories of motivation. Maslow saw human needs in the
form of hierarchy ascending from the lowest to the highest and concluded that, when one set of need is
satisfied this kind of need ceases to be a motivator.
1 Maslow’s hierarchy of needs from the most basic to the highest.
a. Physiological needs are basic and include needs for food, water, and shelter. Maslow took the
position that until these needs are satisfied to the degree necessary to maintain life, other needs
will not motivate people.
b. Safety needs pertain to the desire to be safe, secure and free from threats to our existence.
These needs can be satisfied in the workplace by job continuity, or retirement benefits.
c. Belongingness needs involve the desire to affiliate with and be accepted by others. These
needs are satisfied for most people by family and community relationship outside of work and
friendship on the job.
d. Esteem needs are related to the two-pronged desire to have a positive self-image and to have
our contributions valued and appreciated by others. According to Maslow, once people begin
to satisfy their need to belong, they tend to want to be held in esteem both by themselves and
by others this kind of need produces such satisfactions as power, prestige, status and self
confidence.
e. Self-actualization needs pertain to the requirement of developing our capabilities and
reaching our full potential. Maslow regards this as the highest need in his hierarchy. It is the
desire to become what one is capable of becoming- to maximize one’s potential and to
accomplish something.2 Maslow suggests that the five need categories constitute a hierarchy. An individual is motivated first
and foremost to satisfy physiological needs. As long as they remain unsatisfied, the individual is
motivated only to fulfill them. When satisfaction of physiological needs is achieved they cease to act
as primary motivational factors and the individual moves up the hierarchy and become concerned
with security need. This process continues until the individual reaches the self- actualization level.
3 Recent studies have raised questions as to whether the hierarchical aspect of Maslow’s theory is
applicable to everyone and whether there might be fewer than five levels of needs.
Analysis and Weakness of Theory
1. Five levels of need are not always present.
2. Order of needs and hierarchy may not be the same for all employees.
3. There are certainly cultural differences which the theory did not take care.
4. Analyzing the theory in country and cultural context, for example in China, the hierarchy of needs