Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs: Understanding the Five Levels of Human Motivation

by Yum Yum Mama Team February 1, 2025

What is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow (1943) as part of his humanistic approach. It suggests that humans have a structured set of needs, arranged in a pyramid, where lower-level needs must be fulfilled before higher-level ones can be pursued.

The five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy are:

Physiological Needs – Basic survival needs such as food, water, air, and sleep.
Safety Needs – Security, financial stability, health, and personal safety.
Love and Belongingness – Social relationships, friendships, family, and intimacy.
Esteem Needs – Self-respect, confidence, recognition, and achievement.
Self-Actualisation – Personal growth, fulfilment, and achieving one’s potential.

Maslow believed that people progress through these stages sequentially, although modern psychologists argue that the progression is not always linear.

Why is Maslow’s Theory Important?

Maslow’s theory is significant because it explains human motivation in various contexts, including education, business, and therapy. It helps organisations and individuals understand what drives behaviour and how to create environments that foster motivation and well-being.

Applications of Maslow’s Hierarchy

In the Workplace: Employers use Maslow’s model to create better work environments by ensuring employees have job security (safety needs), social interactions (belongingness), and opportunities for recognition (esteem needs).
In Education: Teachers apply the model to support students by addressing their physiological and safety needs before expecting higher-level learning.
In Mental Health: Psychologists use Maslow’s theory to assess and address unmet needs contributing to stress and anxiety.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Exam Questions & Answers

Q1: Identify the five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

(Total: 1 mark)

Answer:
The five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs are: Physiological, Safety, Love/Belongingness, Esteem, and Self-Actualisation. (1 mark)

Q2: Explain how an individual might progress through Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

(Total: 4 marks)

Answer:

Individuals first seek to satisfy their physiological needs by obtaining food, water, and rest (1 mark).
Once basic needs are met, they focus on safety needs, such as finding stable employment and a secure living environment (1 mark).
As security is established, they seek love and belongingness, forming relationships and friendships (1 mark).
Higher up the hierarchy, individuals strive for esteem needs, gaining recognition and confidence in their abilities (1 mark).
Finally, they reach self-actualisation, where they pursue personal growth and fulfil their potential.

Q3: Outline one criticism of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

(Total: 2 marks)

Answer:
One criticism of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is that it assumes a fixed order of progression, whereas in reality, individuals may prioritise different needs depending on circumstances (1 mark). For example, some people may sacrifice physiological needs (such as sleep) to achieve self-actualisation in their career or passion (1 mark).

Conclusion

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides valuable insights into human motivation. While the model is widely applied in psychology, business, and education, it is also criticised for being too rigid and failing to account for cultural differences. Understanding this theory is essential for A-Level Psychology students, as it forms the foundation for discussions on motivation and personal development.