Hierarchy of Needs Pyramide

Maslow (1970) stated that human motivation is based on people seeking fulfilment and change through personal growth. Maslow described self-actualized people as those who were fulfilled and doing all they were capable of. By studying people he considered to be self-actualised (including Abraham Lincoln, Albert Einstein and William James)

Maslow identified 15 characteristics of a self-actualised person (illustrated as a pyramide). For example: enjoyment of new experiences, sense of humour, close friendships, creativity etc. It is not necessary to display all 15 characteristics to become self-actualised, and not only self-actualised people will display them. Maslow did not equate self-actualization with perfection. Self-actualization merely involves achieving ones potential. Thus someone can be silly, wasteful, vain and impolite, and still self-actualise. Less than one percent of the population achieve self-actualisation. Maslow (1970) presents a hierarchy of needs pyramide which can be divided into basic (or deficiency) needs (e.g. physiological, safety, love, and esteem) growth needs (cognitive, aesthetics and self-actualisation). One must satisfy lower level basic needs before progressing on to meet higher level growth needs. Once these needs have been reasonably satisfied, one may be able to reach the highest level called self-actualisation.

Every individual is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualisation. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by failure to meet lower level needs. Life experiences including divorce and loss of job may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of he hierarchy. Maslow noted only one in ten individuals become fully self-actualised because our society rewards motivation primarily based on esteem, love and other social needs.

The growth of self-actualisation (Maslow, 1962) refers to the need for personal growth that is present throughout a person’s life. For Maslow, a person is always “becoming” and never remains static in these terms. In self-actualisation a person comes to find a meaning to life that is important to them.

Are you self-actualised?

The hierarchy of needs include:

1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.

2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, limits, stability, etc.

3. Belongingness and Love needs - work group, family, affection, relationships, etc.

4. Esteem needs - self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc.

5. Cognitive needs - knowledge, meaning, etc.

6. Aesthetic needs - appreciation and search for beauty, balance, form, etc.

7. Self-Actualisation needs - realising personal potential, self-fulfilment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

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Maslow, (1968): Some of the characteristics of self-actualised people

Although we are all, theoretically, capable of self-actualising, most of us will not do so, or only to a limited degree. Maslow was particularly interested m the characteristics of people whom he considered to have achieved their potential as persons: his list included Einstein, William James, Eleanor Roosevelt, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson and Walt Whitman. Some of the characteristics of self-actualizers and some of the behaviours leading to self-actualisation are shown in the table below. Although individuals achieve self-actualisation in their own unique way, they tend to share certain characteristics. However, self-actualization is a matter of degree, 'There are no perfect human beings' (Maslow)

Characteristics of self-actualisers

1. They perceive reality efficiently and can tolerate uncertainty;

2. Accept themselves and others for what they are;

3. Spontaneous in thought and action;

4. Problem-centred (not self-centred);

5. Unusual sense of humour;

6. Able to look at life objectively;

7. Highly creative;

8. Resistant to enculturation, but not purposely unconventional;

9. Concerned for the welfare of mankind;

10. Capable of deep appreciation of basic life-experience;

11. Establish deep satisfying interpersonal relationships with a few people;

12. Peak experiences;

13. Need for privacy;

14. Democratic attitudes;

15. Strong moral/ethical standards.

Behaviour leading to self-actualisation

(a) Experiencing life like a child, with full absorption and concentration;

(b) Trying new things instead of sticking to safe paths;

(c) Listening to your own feelings in evaluating experiences instead of the voice of tradition or authority or the majority;

(d) Avoiding pretence ('game playing') and being honest;

(e) Being prepared to be unpopular if your views do not coincide with those of the majority;

(f) Taking responsibility and working hard;

(g) Trying to identify your defences and having the courage to give them up.