Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory
Maslow’s hierarchy theory is the earliest motivation theory that focuses on individual needs. Maslow believed that humans’ needs could be classified as a pyramid that consists of five basic needs that are:
- Self-actualization — Needs to grow or to reach the full self-potential
- Self-esteem — Need for self-esteem, self-respect, and appreciation for others
- Social needs (love/belonging) — Need for human interaction, relationship, and friendship
- Safety — Need for security, morality, and resources
- Physiological needs — Primary needs for humans to survive (basic needs)
The pyramid shows that the need on the lower level should be fulfilled first before going to a higher level. It was said that unfulfilled needs can function as motivation thus lead to the behavior. By understanding the needs of the employees, the employers can improve their management system and company policy to fulfill the unsatisfied needs of the employees and ensure that their actions are in line with their organizational (company) and employees’ needs.
However, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been criticized due to its subjectivity. According to Bauer & Erdogan (2012) statement that stated the needs order can differ depending on the people. Furthermore, from Hofstede’s cultural perspective, this theory is not valid for some cultures because, in some cultures, safety needs and social needs will have a greater influence on motivation compared to self-actualization needs. According to Laeegard, the Maslow model only can predict the employee’s behavior to a minor extent because the needs are subjective, depending on the individual.
References
Healy K. (2016). A Theory of Human Motivation by Abraham H. Maslow — reflection. The British journal of psychiatry: the journal of mental science, 208(4), 313. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjp.bp.115.179622
Mcleod, S. (2020, December 29). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. SimplyPsychology.org. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Laegaard, J. & Bindslev, M. (2006). Organizational theory (1st ed). Ventus Publishing & Bookboon.com.
Note:
This article is written based on University of The People Organizational Behavior (BUS 5113) written assignment by Fristy Tania in September 2021
