Introduction
This
could be classified as one of the most significantly popular classification of
human needs that belonged to the Content Theory category (Armstrong and Taylor,
2014). This is believed to be accepted as the most used theory in the world
based on needs, despite its many drawbacks and especially regarding the
validity of the theory and the accuracy of the theory (Adiele & Abraham,
2013).
According to him, this theory has categorized human needs in
to 05 different levels, each step should be climbed by an individual without
avoiding any. The climb should be from the lowest step to the highest (Kaur,
2013).
Figure
1.1 – Image of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Source:
(Musgrove, 2016)
As per the image stated
above as explained by the psychologist, human needs are categorized as follows:
1. Physiological Needs –
“Man is a wanting Animal” (MacGregor, 2003). This sentence
elaborates on the needs that belong to this category which is the lowest order
of needs. This includes the needs for food, air, water and shelter, ability to
maintain fitness and stay healthy (Ozguner and Ozguner, 2014).
Application:
Employees should be provided with a salary so that they may be able to provide themselves
the basic needs stated above.
In addition the
organization I work for, provides once a week facility for all staff to engage
in Yoga meditation and physical exercises to stay healthy free of charge. Many
employees use this to take a break from the daily routine they live in whilst satisfying
their needs.
2. Safety and Security Needs –
This need is elevated after the
satisfaction of the basic needs as stated and this could be defined as a human’s
desire and expectation to be free from threat and deprivation of security of
the body, family, loves ones, employment and other factors that involve the predictability
and preservation of himself (Kaur, 2013).
Application:
The organization I work
for provides a comprehensive insurance benefit that covers myself and my
spouse, in addition to the interest free loan facility that encourages many
personal gains such as ability to obtain a vehicle, engage in further education
could be stated.
3. Social
Needs –
The need for this arises after the
activation of both the basic and safety needs are activated. The need of a
human to feel connected on levels of love, sexuality, the need and desire for
affection and acceptance, friendships and intimate relationships (Abbah, 2014).
Application:
The organization I work
for has many interactive events once in 2-3 months. Commencing from out bound
training, divisional meet-ups after working hours, events such as New Year
celebrations, Dinner Dances and Talent Shows are instances given to us to
interact with work colleagues on a social level.
4. Esteem
Needs –
These could be termed as
achievements that satisfies the mentality of a human. It includes the need to
feel accepted, appreciated and receive a social status. The need to give and
receive respect and having self-confidence (Abbah,
2014).
Application:
The organization I work
for has monthly emails circulated stating the achievements especially of the
sales and marketing divisions. Further they have an Annual Awards Ceremony that
achievers are recognized in many ways under various categories of awards
designed to appreciate the achievements of employees.
5. Self-actualization
Needs –
The requirement of this need only arises after
the previously stated needs are met adequately by the individual seeking it (Jerome,
2013). This could be defined as the
ultimate realization of an individual of his purpose in life (Kaur, 2013).
References:
Abbah, M.T. (2014) Employee Motivation: The Key to Effective Organizational Management in
Nigeria. Journal of Business and Management. Volume 16, Issue 4.
Adiele, E. E. & Abraham, N. M., (2013)
Achievement of Abraham Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy Theory. Journal of
Curriculum and Teaching, 2(1), pp. 140-144.
Armstrong,
M. and Taylor, S., (2014) Armstrong’s
Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice -13th Ed.– UK - Ashford
Colour Press
Jerome, N., (2013) Application of the Maslow’s
hierarchy of need theory. International Journal of Business and
Management Invention, 2(3), pp. 39-45.
Kaur, A., (2013) Maslow’s Need Hierarchy
Theory. Global Journal of Management and Business Studies, 03(10),
pp. 1061-1064.
MacGregor, D., (2003) The Human side of
Enterprise. In: M. J. Handel, ed. The Sociology of Organisations. 1st
ed. California: Sage Publications, pp. 108-115.
Musgrave,
S. (2016) Employee engagement according
to Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs. [image] Available at:
http://www.brighterbusiness.co.uk/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-for-employers/[Accessed
on 24th May 2020]
Ozguner, Z., Ozguner,M.,(2014). A Managerial Point of View on the
Relationship between of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and Herzberg’s Dual Factor
Theory. International Journal of
Business and Social Science Vol. 5, No. 7.
Agree with you and further, Self-actualization depends on creativity and desire for an improvement in human capital to enable better living standards in the society (Onah, 2015). In addition, self-actualizing varies independently in predictable ways across the life span as a motivational factor (Krems , Kenrick and Neel, 2017).
ReplyDeleteAgreed on your views. However, as per the critics of this Maslow’s theory, it has been argued that the lack of hierarchical structure of needs which differ from individual to another. Also the operationalization of some of the concepts, which researchers make difficulty to test. As an example how to measure the self-actualization or self-esteem (Deci and Ryan, 2010).
ReplyDeleteAgree with your views. Additionally, the growth needs of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which is self-actualization differs from other four bottom level deficiency needs, as the growth need will be acting as a motive or influence to do more when the need it met, whereas the bottom level needs are diminishing the urge once the needs are met as per Kaur (2013).
ReplyDeleteEven Maslow has recognized the basic needs in terms of physical, biological, social and psychological, still there are criticisms that theory has missed the social connection where several researchers were believed that without social connection there is no survival physically as well as emotionally (Rutledge, 2011).
ReplyDeleteNatasha I am agree with your views. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs talking on five levels of needs in life. People get motivation from these levels. Everyone wants to go to the next level. To get into next level should work hard and to work hard motivation is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. These needs can name as physiological needs, safety needs, belonging needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs (Aruma & Hanachor, 2017).
ReplyDeleteAgree with you Natasha, Spear (2006) conducted a study in Australia to determine what motivated mental health professionals using Maslow’s hierarchy as a framework. It was found that esteem and self-actualization were powerful motivators.
ReplyDelete