1. COL 105 Maslow’s Theory of Motivation

2. 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

3. 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

4. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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)

12. Bibliography
Envision Software (2007). Maslow’s theory of motivation – Hierarchy of needs. Retrieved from _Needs_Hierarchy.html