Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory: A Humanistic Perspective of Personality Theory in Psychology

This project explores Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory in Psychology and its applicability in organizational contexts. It discusses the advantages and criticisms of the theory and concludes that it demands some improvements for its universal applicability. The theory can help in understanding human nature and motivating employees.

PSYCHOLOGY

Table of Contents
Table of Contents...........................................................................................................................2
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................3

Abstract
Maslow's need hierarchy theory is a humanistic perspective of personality theory in Psychology.
The theory explains that the hierarchy/pyramids which involves levels of the needs. The lower
levels needs to be satisfy before moving towards the higher levels of needs. The Maslow's need
theory has been applicable in the psychological domain. It has been very advantageous to
motivation as it provides better understanding and alignment with the human nature. However, it
is unable to find empirical support from the concepts. It can be applied in organizational contexts
where the employer use it to understand the individual needs in workplace. the theory has been
developed and modified to adapt modern environment. However, the theory has received
criticisms due to its unreliability, lack of universal applicability and lack of empirical evidences.
The project is based upon the research study conducted by taking an organizational situation into
consideration.
CONCLUSION
From the project it has been concluded that there are various kinds of personality theories
that can be applied and used for understanding change in behavior of a person or change in
overall personality of a person. From the above project it has further been summarized that as per
humanist perspective theory every individual is responsible for their own actions, behavior and
attitude. People should have willingness to bring changes within their attitude and behavior. In
order to explain change within overall behavior of a person, humanist perspective theory can be
applied. There are various kinds of humanist perspective theories of personality psychology that
can help in explaining change in nature of an individual in an appropriate manner. Humanist
perspective theory selected for explain personality psychology is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It
is a humanistic perspective theory which focuses upon positive image of humans that focuses
upon allowing fulfillment of a human’s potential. In humanists’ perspective theory Maslow’s
hierarchy of needs theory can be selected as this theory clearly helps in explaining ways in which
an individual can be motivated by fulfilling his needs in a hierarchical manner.
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In order to understand nature of a person, their reason behind change in their attitude,
depression, behavior humanist theory can be applied. In fact, this theory is used by various
counselors, psychologist for focusing upon some important factors that can be major area of
concern for people that can be focused upon for understanding human nature in an appropriate
manner such as personal awareness, free will etc. adoption of this humanist approach can directly
help in interpreting a situation, understanding a person’s nature, identifying areas of concern in
an appropriate manner. Appropriate adoption of this theory can directly help a person in
identifying main root cause of a person’s change in behavior.
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory of Abraham Maslow clearly helps in explaining that
personal growth of an individual and fulfillment in life are two most important and basic needs
of an individual that motivate a person or an individual. This theory has clearly helped in
concluding that lack of fulfillment of hierarchical needs of an individual can result in
development of dissatisfaction and can further result in change in overall behavior and attitude of
person. As per this theory it is extremely important to focus upon fulfilling first of all basic needs
of a person before satisfying their higher- level needs. This is because fulfillment of higher- level
needs are of no use and cannot help in motivating an individual until and unless their lower-
level needs are not completed for satisfied. Applicability of this theory within business world is
increasing day by day and in fact, in some business settings this theory is used as a base of
satisfying employees or keeping them motivated so that their behavior and work as not impacted
in negative manner and simply by applying this theory organization can enhance overall
performance of employees, maintain their positive attitude.
It can be further be concluded that, Maslow’s hierarchical needs theory applicability
within business environment can directly help in motivating employees so that they can work
upon enhancing their overall scope of growth, achieve desired goals and objectives, bring
improvement within their own performance, and also focus upon bringing development within
their own skills, qualities, behavior and attitude in order to become successful in life. This theory
can clearly help in explaining personality psychology in a clear manner. as per this theory
personality of a person might vary but needs of every individual is same and are required to be
fulfilled in a same order. Not doing so can impact their personality in negative manner i.e., it can
demotivate them, can depress them, frustrate them and can also bring changes within their
overall behavior.
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Maslow hierarchy of needs can directly help in evaluating and focusing fulfillment of
concepts of free will, self- actualization, and self-efficiency. Effective adoption of this theory to
a particular situation can directly help in fulfilling needs and requirement of a person at their full
and complete potential that can further help in enhancing physical and mental well-being of an
individual. It can directly help in understanding perspective and needs of an individual which can
further help in bringing positive changes within an individual and within their overall nature in
positive manner and can further help in bringing positive noticeable changes within overall
behavior of individuals and can also help an individual in overcoming changeless faced by them.
Maslow is one of the most important theory that can help in gaining understanding of field
of psychology in more appropriate and effective manner. Projects have further helped in
explaining that nature of a human completely depends upon fulfillment of their needs and
requirement but in a sequential or hierarchical manner. It has further been concluded that there
are various components of Maslow hierarchy of needs theory that can provide a brief overview
of ways in which fulfillment of needs in a sequential manner can help a person or an
organization to bring positive changes within an individual. It has further been concluded that
there are five human needs that are required to be fulfilled in a sequential manner. Fulfillment of
these needs are most important components to be focused upon of this theory.
First component is psychological need that helps in explaining that in order to bring
positive changes within an individual it is required to be ensured that their basic survival needs
are being fulfilled or not. It is one of the most important, basic and uttermost important need to
be fulfilled. Another component of this theory is safety need which is required to be fulfilled
only after fulfillment of survival needs by providing job security, sense of self- security to
person. When these security needs are fulfilled, only after those social needs fulfillment of a
person are valuable. Relationship with others is only valuable if a person feels safe and full as
well as when they have a shelter to stay. It has further been concluded that when all of these
components are endured and fulfilled, only after that, self- esteem need or component fulfillment
is worth and can being changes positively within an individual. Fulfillment of this need can
further help in development of self-confidence within an individual, they can learn to respect
other and can further motivate them to achieve something. Lastly when all of the identified needs
are fulfilled, only after that fulfillment of self-actualization need or component fulfillment is
worth and can help a person in realizing their worth, their potential and ways in which full
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utilization of their complete potential can help them in achieving something. These components
clearly help in concluding that if main issue or challenge in changed behavior of a person is
required to be identified then it becomes extremely important to identify components that are
required to be fulfilled or focused upon.
It can be summarized that in the Maslow's theory, there is lack of hierarchical structure. It was
also argued that it is a unscientific approach which makes use of unreliable examples and only a
specific set of research methods to draw the conclusions. It was considered that the Maslow's
humanistic motivational theory is not based on any credible empirical research rather its is based
on biographical analysis and personal observation. As every individual have different orders for
their needs, some people strive for self actualization even when they have nor fulfilled their basic
needs. The scientific community stated that there is no evidence for validity to Maslow's theory.
Another criticisms of the theory was that the methodology used in the research relates to
the ethnocentric bias. It focused mostly on a particular community of population in the context of
an individualistic culture. The needs in the pyramids are the according to that, so they cannot be
applied globally and transferred to other communities and culture necessary. It was also
considered that the needs might differ from gender to socioeconomic backgrounds of individuals
and their preferences. From the literature review it was cited that there is no clear and consist
support from the finding of the present research available. It also indicates that only pyramids of
needs are relevant while specific needs outlined in those pyramids might have become outdated
as there have been further explorations and researches in psychology.
They theory received criticism because there are a large number of exceptions to the
theory which are called as reversals. As the individuals are different their preferences and needs
differs to their individualism. So, Prepositions of theory have been rejected and questioned as
well. However, the theory has gained mixed support at its best. The theory is described as
universal by Maslow but the order in which needs are arranged have a low impact on individual's
satisfactions in life. The theory was rejected by the scientific community by stating that there are
some needs such as autonomy and social support more important even when the other needs such
as lower level needs of the pyramid are not being fulfilled. The theory fails to take individual
differences in account.
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In conclusion of the applicability of the theory that when the theory of Maslow's need
hierarchy was applied in the real life situation of professional life of an employee, it was sent hat
the theory needs some improvements. There are various ways in which an employer provide
tools to employees to fulfill their needs but the how the role will impact the certain role depends
entirely on the employee himself. The employee must reach to their self actualization needs for
reaching the top level of the Maslow's need hierarchy theory. It means the employees needs to
have the ability to use the skills and capacities to understand their potentials. Only the workforce
which is engaged and is healthy can reach to the top levels of pyramids of Maslow's theory.
The theory states that the employees reach the top needs when theory have satisfied their
lower needs. It means the employees needs to have access to their vital services such as drinking
breaks, breaks to eat food and a comfortable working environment. Basically when the
psychological needs such as steady income to live, eat and have a home it the most important
need for every employee. The employee needs to feel emotionally and mentally safe and
supported in the organization which are safety needs. The third level of needs which are love and
belonging states that the employees need to establish and form relationships at work. However,
from the literature review it was cited that some employees consider love and belonging as their
basic needs instead of basic psychological needs. It is because some employees consider these
emotional values as the motivation to work. Esteem needs are the briefs that an individual is
co0ntributing something to the higher goals which are being recognized. This can impact the
overall engagement of employee at work. However, it was also found that acknowledgment and
recognition can be negative for which employees esteem suffers. Self actualization is the need
which is mostly criticized for its applicability. It was stated by Maslow that not every employee
reached this stage. However, for some employees this need might be the most important need
than the above mentioned needs.
So it can be summarized that the theory is applicable in some situations, however it
demands some improvements for its universal applicability.The future direction of the
exploration can also be easily understood from the exploration of the literature as the new
hierarchy does not alter the concept of the hierarchy of needs but only modifies the needs with
new ones based on the developed understanding of human behavior and psychology.
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From the project it can be concluded that the Maslow's need hierarchy is the theory which
motivates the people according to which majority of people set their goals. It offers various
advantages to the people. The theory has been considered as very simple to understand and
relatable. The theory can be related by a labor as they want to fulfill their basic needs and it can
be related by the business as they want to fulfill their top priorities which can be defined as self
actualization and self esteem needs. Another advantage which can concluded was the theory
considers human nature. The theory considers the human nature which is more focused towards
the fulfilment of their basic needs than the other needs. It is the most basic advantage which was
considered in literature review that how well it cam serve to interpret the human behaviors and
motivation.
Another advantage which was cited, is that it is relevant in all the fields. It is not limited
to the work field only or to the particular situations only. It is relevant in almost all of the fields.
Even in general the humans wants to fulfill their basic needs and want to have a secure life. The
other needs comes after the fulfillment of the basic needs. The theory is relevant in day to day
applications and in the world of professional employees too. It creates an environment where the
fulfillment of basic needs results in self actualization who operates on their full potential. This
theory focuses on the fact that every individual is capable of achieving full potential by focusing
on self-actualization. This approach of personality has helped in the situation by focusing the
entire individual and on the fundamental human factors.
Another advantage which can be concluded is that the it is holistic approach for
motivating human behavior. It can help in understanding what an individual desires at a
particular stage in their life. It can provide a clarity on what the individual need to feel motivated
for providing their full potential to give better performances. It represents how the motivation
constantly changes according to the changing needs. When applied to the organizational context,
the theory helped the employer to understand how they can motivate employees. It can also
account inter-personal and intro-personal variations in human behaviors. The theory is also
dynamic as it represents motivation as a constantly changing force. It can be summarized that
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