Abraham Maslow (1908-1970)

Hierarchy of needs

Sharing to meet basic needs with someone else in need

Shelter for HomelessDomestic ReliefSecond Harvest Food BankHospitals

Giving and serving to meet needs through community action

Volunteer Fire DeptWomen’s SheltersDay Care CentersNursing Homes

Giving and serving because it is expected of a good person

Service Clubs (Rotary, Moose, Optimist, Junior League) Boys & Girls ClubScouting/4-H

Giving and serving because it makes us feel like a “good person”

Scholarships, awards for giving (Nobel)

Selfless giving and serving to unknown others

Churches/Mosques/SynagoguesMuseums/Symphonies/ArtsAnonymous Gifts

General

• The basis of Maslow's motivation theory is that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower factors need to be satisfied before higher needs can be satisfied.

• According to Maslow, there are general types of needs (physical, safety, love, esteem, self-actualization) that must be satisfied before a person can act unselfishly

General

• Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is most often displayed as a pyramid. The lowest levels of the pyramid are made up of the most basic needs, while the more complex needs are located at the top of the pyramid

• 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.

Physical• Basic needs are those required to sustain life,

such as:• Air • Water • Food • Sleep

Safety Needs

• Safety needs means a person is living free from the threat of physical and emotional harm. Such needs might be fulfilled by:

• Living in a safe area • Medical insurance • Job security • Financial reserves

Love• Social needs are those related to

interaction with others and may include:–Friendship –Belonging to a group –Giving and receiving love

Esteem

• Esteem needs are the urge to attain a degree of importance

• Recognition• Attention • Social Status • Accomplishment• Self-respect

Self-Actualization

• Self-Actualization is reaching one's full potential as a person.

• Examples are:• Truth • Justice • Wisdom • Meaning

Discussion questions

• How does this theory relate to Child Development?

• Where are you on the Hierarchy of Needs and why?

• Where would you like to be on the Hierarchy of Needs?

• Do you think a person can ever reach Self-Actualization? Why or why not?