COL 105 Maslow’s Theory of Motivation

Maslow’s Theory: Assumptions Humans are motivated by unsatisfied needs Pursuing these needs leads us to growth Needs must be satisfied before we can act unselfishly Satisfying needs is healthy, while preventing gratification makes us sick or act in evil ways An individual must satisfy basic needs before he/she can satisfy higher level needs

Maslow’s Theory: Activity With your group, organize the word strips with needs. Place the needs that are most basic on the bottom Place the needs that are more complex above them

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs http://two.not2.org/psychosynthesis/articles/maslow.gif

Physiological Needs: Air Food Water Sleep According to Maslow, if these needs are not met, higher needs such as social needs or esteem cannot be satisfied.

Safety Needs Physical Safety Medical Safety (insurance) Job Security Financial Safety (reserves) Once one’s physical needs are met, he/she turns to satisfying the need for safety from physical & emotional harm. If a person feels threatened, higher needs will not receive attention or be fulfilled

Social Needs Friendship Belonging to a group Giving/Receiving love After we meet our physiological & safety needs, we can turn our attention to our relationships Social needs are related to our interactions with others

Esteem Needs: Internal Esteem External Esteem Accomplishment Self-respect Self Esteem External Esteem Recognition Attention Social Status After someone has met their need to “belong” (social needs), the urge to achieve importance becomes important.

Self-Actualization The quest to reach one’s full potential as a person Motivators are: Truth Justice Wisdom Meaning Self-Actualized people have “peak experiences” in which they are energized by happiness and harmony.

Applying Maslow’s Theory to Work Workplace motivation & performance enhanced by: Physiological: Provide generous breaks for lunch & rest, pay salaries that enable employees to care for needs Safety: Safe working environment, job security, freedom from threats Social: community of acceptance, belonging, teamwork Esteem: Recognize achievements, important projects, status in the workplace Self-Actualization: challenging & meaningful work assignments: creativity, innovation, progress toward goals

Maslow’s Theory: Criticisms Recent research challenges the order of the needs in Maslow’s hierarchy pyramid Some people are not well described by the theory (ex: starving artist, Doctors without borders) Very little evidence that people satisfy just one need at a time (it’s more complex than that)

Bibliography Envision Software (2007). Maslow’s theory of motivation – Hierarchy of needs. Retrieved from http://www.envisionsoftware.com/articles/Maslows _Needs_Hierarchy.html