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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Explained

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Psychological Needs Paper: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Explained

Jeff Bivins

PSY/211

July 26, 2013
Annie Fongheiser

Psychological Needs Paper: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Explained

Albert Maslow (1908-1970) was humanistic psychologist who wrote a paper titled “A Theory of Human Motivation” in 1943 that theorized human behavior is motivated by a hierarchy of needs (Cherry, n.d.). Maslow theorized that there were five levels of human motivation of needs and each need had to be fulfilled in order to move up to the next level of needs. Although Maslow never used a pyramid to show the different levels of his hierarchy of needs the pyramid is commonly used in text to visually describe the different levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow contended that our basic physiological needs for survival (air, water, food, and sleep), is the most important part of the hierarchy of needs, and all the other levels of the hierarchy would fail and could not progress without meeting these basic needs. This level of hierarchy would be represented at the bottom of the pyramid. Once the basic physiological needs were met safety and security were the next level of Maslow’s hierarchy. Maslow maintained that financial and personal security, shelter, health and well-being, and resources are essential to progress to the next level in the hierarchy of needs. Safety and security would be represented on the pyramid right above the physiological needs. After fulfilling the first two levels of the hierarchy, the feeling of love and belonging are next on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Cherry (n.d.), states “Maslow described these needs as less basic than physiological and security needs. Relationships such as friendships, romantic attachments, and families help fulfill this need for companionship and acceptance, as does involvement in social, community, or

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