Abraham Maslow's Motivation and Personality Theory (Presentation)
Maslow felt as though conditioning theories did not adequately capture the complexity of human behaviour. Maslow therefore looked to determine what it is humans seek in life. After much theorizing, he concluded that we search for things that will fulfil our needs for survival, as well as our emotional happiness and self-satisfaction. He then went on to introduce his concept of a hierarchy of needs in his 1943 paper titled "A Theory of Human Motivation". Thus presenting the idea that human actions are directed towards goal achievement, believing that people have certain needs which must be met before they can go on to fulfil their potential. This could be through any given behaviour which could satisfy several functions at the same time; for instance, once you’ve acquired a hobby that you’re exceptionally good at, i.e. football, dance, etc. you begin to meet one’s needs for self-esteem and social interaction.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has often been represented in a hierarchical pyramid made up of five levels. The lowest levels of the pyramid represent the most basic needs, while the more complex needs are located at the top of the pyramid. The needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food, water, sleep, and warmth. Once these lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs, which are for safety and security.
As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social. Soon, the need for love, friendship, and intimacy become important. Further up the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority. Maslow emphasised the importance of self-actualization, which is a process of growing and developing as a person in order to achieve ones individual potential.
Maslow believed that these needs are similar to instincts and play a major role in motivating behavior. Physiological, security, social, and esteem needs are
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has often been represented in a hierarchical pyramid made up of five levels. The lowest levels of the pyramid represent the most basic needs, while the more complex needs are located at the top of the pyramid. The needs at the bottom of the pyramid are basic physical requirements including the need for food, water, sleep, and warmth. Once these lower-level needs have been met, people can move on to the next level of needs, which are for safety and security.
As people progress up the pyramid, needs become increasingly psychological and social. Soon, the need for love, friendship, and intimacy become important. Further up the pyramid, the need for personal esteem and feelings of accomplishment take priority. Maslow emphasised the importance of self-actualization, which is a process of growing and developing as a person in order to achieve ones individual potential.
Maslow believed that these needs are similar to instincts and play a major role in motivating behavior. Physiological, security, social, and esteem needs are