Humanistic Approach: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (Reading)
Directions: Use the following reading to complete your blank pyramid
According to Maslow, self-actualization is the point that is seldom reached at which people have satisfied the lower needs and achieved their full human potential. These needs include both deficiency and growth needs. Deficiency needs are needs of the body, such as the need for food or water, whereas growth needs are for desires like having friends or feeling good about oneself. For a person to achieve self-actualization, which is the highest level of growth needs, the basic needs must be filled first.
The lowest level of the pyramid consists of Physiological needs such as food, water, and rest. These needs are at the base of the pyramid because they are the most basic needs that we have. Once these needs are met, the next level of the pyramid is Safety needs. Naturally people have a desire to feel safe and out of danger. Belongingness and love needs make up the level of the pyramid third from the bottom. These types of needs include needing to be with others, be accepted, and to belong. The fourth level of the pyramid represents the Esteem needs. Self-esteem is the need to feel that one has accomplished something good or earned the esteem of others. The level above the Esteem needs is the Cognitive needs. Cognitive needs include understanding, knowing, and exploring the world. This need is typical of an academic person who learns for the sake of gathering knowledge. Above Cognitive needs are Aesthetic needs. Aesthetic means to have a sense of beauty. The types of needs in this category are symmetry, order and beauty (typical of artistic people). Once all these needs are met, it is possible to be concerned about self-actualization needs, or the needs that help a person reach his or her full potential and capabilities.