Describe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Biological needs. Maslow assumes you start life at the lowest level. You must satisfy your physical needs before you can take care of any psychological or social needs you may have. You cannot take the next step up the motivational ladder unless or until, you meet your primary biological needs.
Safety needs. Once your basic needs are satisfied, you can “move about” in the environment and reduce your uncertainty about what the world has to offer.
Belongingness and love needs. Once you have gained control over your physical environment, you can then turn your attention to social inputs. According to Maslow, you have an innate need for affection and love that only other people can satisfy. You must affiliate with others, and identify yourself with one or more like-minded individuals. When you identify with someone else, you learn to perceive part of the world as that person presumably does.
Esteem needs. One reason you need other people is to help you set your life’s goals. Under the right conditions, the groups you affiliate with can offer you models of what your future behavior might (or should) be. Groups also offer you external feedback on how close you are coming to achieving your targets in life. And the better you get at reaching your goals, the more esteem you likely will have for yourself (and the more esteem you will probably get from others). According to Maslow, “esteem needs” are just as important for human life as are food and water.
Need for self-actualization. Until you have achieved self-esteem, you probably will not feel secure enough to become a “fully actualizing person.” Unless you have confidence in yourself, Maslow says, you will not dare to express yourself in your unique way, make your special contribution to society, and thus achieve your true inborn potential.