1. Applying Principles of Communication Psychology
Abraham Maslow 1 2 3 4 5
Applying Principles of Communication Psychology

2. Maslow’s Theory
Most people will respond positively to messages that will meet their particular needs at particular times.

3. Ladder of Human Needs 1 2 3 4 5 Need to Help Others and Be Creative
Need to Be Somebody
Need to Belong
Safety and Security Needs
Basic Physical Needs

4. Rung 1 - Basic Physical Needs2 3 4 5
Rung 1 - Basic Physical Needs
Food, shelter, clothing – Until these needs are reasonably well met, we think of little else.

5. Rung 2 – Safety and Security Needs1 2 3 4 5
Rung 2 – Safety and Security Needs
Keeping free from physical harm or mental abuse, or from people who threaten our peace of mind.

6. Rung 3 – The Need to Belong1 2 3 4 5
Rung 3 – The Need to Belong
Most of us want to feel “part of a group.” Families, gangs, co-workers.

7. Rung 4 – The Need to Be “Somebody”1 2 3 4 5
Rung 4 – The Need to Be “Somebody”
We want to feel like we’re good at something. We feel pleased at recognition and have fed our egos.

8. Rung 5 – The Need to Help Others and Be Creative1 2 3 4 5
Rung 5 – The Need to Help Others and Be Creative
We help those struggling on the lower rungs. We become more creative, which makes life better for all around us.

9. What this means….
If we identify the levels of needs and relate them to our communication,we can phrase our message to meet those needs. This earns us the reaction we want…with no surprises!