Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory

Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory:

Abraham Maslow, an eminent American psychologist, saw human needs in the form of hierarchy ascending from lowest to highest.

Some assumptions of Maslow’s need hierarchy theory are as follows.

Assumptions:

        i.            Human needs and motives are complex.

      ii.            Needs form hierarchy.

    iii.            Unsatisfied needs are the reasons of motivation.

   iv.            People seek growth and development.

1.     Physiological needs:

According to Maslow, physiological needs are basic needs which are essential to survive. It includes food, shelter, clothes, etc. In an organization to fulfill the physiological needs of employees, they should provide salary, maintaining good working environment providing other basic needs should be done for to motivate them.

2.     Security needs:

Security needs is the second step of human needs, they may arise after the fulfillment of basic needs/physiological needs which includes free from accident, survive from danger, etc. In the organization point of view, management should provide the feeling of job security or permanent job, insurance, providing other safety measures so that employees feel safe while performing the job.

3.     Social needs:

According to Maslow, it is the third step of human needs. Human beings are social animals who always want to live in society and want to consume social elements. After the fulfillment of physiological and safety needs human beings desire social needs like family, friends, society, etc. To fulfill such types of needs of employees, management should provide the feeling of team work, friendship, mutual co-operation and relation to each other.

4.     Ego/Esteem needs:

After the fulfillment of social needs, human beings desire ego or esteem needs, it means respects by others or self-respect. To provide ego or esteem needs management should provide the chances of promotion, merit certificate etc.

5.     Self actualization:

According to Maslow needs hierarchy theory, Self actualization needs are the highest level of needs. These needs are soul-searching and inner-oriented. After the fulfillment of such needs, there is no more desire of human being. To fulfill the self actualization needs of employees, management should provide the freedom in work, decision making, challenging jobs, etc.