What do we generally want in our lives ? What motivates us to work ? What makes us think that we have lived a fulfilled life ? Many people have dealt with these questions in many different ways . However I am impressed with the thoughtful treatment of these universal questions by the great scholar and psychologist Dr Maslow . He has given a five stage model describing the hierarchy of the needs.
1. Physiological needs - These are the biological requirements for human survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex, sleep.
If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met.
2. Safety needs - It includes protection from elements and security . This need is fulfilled by maintaining law and order in the society . It requires stability and freedom from fear.
3. Love and belongingness needs - After physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled, the third level of human needs are felt. It's a kind of social need and involves feelings of belongingness. The need for interpersonal relationships motivates our behavior in most cases.Examples include friendship, intimacy, trust, acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Affiliating, being part of a group (family, friends, work) also form the important components in this list .
4. Esteem needs - Maslow classified these needs into two categories: (i) esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence) and (ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige).
He indicated that the need for respect or reputation is most important for children and adolescents and precedes real self-esteem or dignity.
5. Self-actualization needs - Realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences form this category of needs. A desire “to become everything one is capable of becoming" is the key to understand how to achieve the highest level of fulfilment in life.
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