A Humanistic Model of Motivations Maslow introduced the notion of a 'third force' in psychology in 1958, Behaviourism and Psychoanalytic theory being the first and second forces, and it is he and Carl Rogers who are the best known humanistic psychologists. According to Maslow, we are subject to two quite different sets of motivational states or forces: Those which ensure survival by satisfying basic physical and psychological needs (physiological, safety, belonging-ness and love and esteem needs) Those which promote the person's self-actualization that is, realising one's full potential, 'becoming everything that one is capable of becoming', especially in the intellectual and creative domains. While behaviours which relate to survival or deficiency needs are engaged in because they satisfy those needs (a means to an end), those which relate to self-actualization are engaged in for their own sake, because they are intrinsically satisfying. The hierarchical nature of Maslow's theory is intended to emphasize the following points. About Needs Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be adequately satisfied before we can fully attend to needs at the next level up; for instance, physiological needs must be met before we concentrate on safety needs. If you are trying to concentrate on what you are reading while your stomach is trying to tell you it is lunchtime, you probably will not absorb much about Maslow; similarly, if you are very tired or in pain. There are exceptions like the starving artist or ascetic who finds inspiration despite hunger. Higher-level needs are a later evolutionary development, that is, in the development of the human species (phylogenetic), self-actualization is a fairly recent need to have appeared. This applies equally to the development of individuals (ontogenetic); clearly, babies are much more concerned with their bellies than their brains. However, it is never a case of one need being present and another being absent but rather one predominating over another, this applies at any stage of development. The higher up the hierarchy we go, the greater the need becomes linked to life experience and the less the biological character of the need. Individuals will achieve self-actualization in different ways, through different activities and by different routes and this is related to experience, not biology. Following on from (3), the higher up the hierarchy we go, the more difficult the need is to achieve. Many human goals are remote and long-term, and can only be achieved in a series of steps; this pursuit of ends which lie very much in the future is one of the unique features of human behaviour and individuals differ in their ability to set and realise such goals. Following on from (3), the higher up the hierarchy we go, the more difficult the need is to achieve. Many human goals are remote and long-term, and can only be achieved in a series of steps; this pursuit of ends which lie very much in the future is one of the unique features of human behaviour and individuals differ in their ability to set and realise such goals. Back to Top Hierarchy of Need (7 » 1) SELF ACTUALISATION Realising full potential Peak Experiences AESTHETIC NEEDS Beauty - in art nature, symmetry, balance, order, form COGNITIVE NEEDS Knowledge and understanding Curiosity, exploration, need for meaning and predictability ESTEEM NEEDS Esteeem and respect for self and others Sense of Competence LOVE & BELONGING Receiving and giving love, affection, trust & acceptance. Affiliating: being part of group - family, friends, work. SAFETY NEEDS Protection from danger: elements, objects, illness, situations. Safety from physical & psychological threat Use of familiarity & routine PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS Consumption of food, drink, oxygen Capability for temperature regulation and elimination, Access to rest, activity, physical contact & sex Back to Top