Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

• In attempting to explain the concept of motivation Abraham Maslow came up with
• The Hierarchy Of Needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs.

• According to Maslow’s theory in order for managers to motivate workers they have to understand why people come to work
• He says that workers come to work in order to satisfy their needs and wants
• Worker’s actions are all in pursuit of satisfying these needs and wants
• These needs are not all the same instead
• They can be classified into categories or levels
• These levels can be placed in ascending order of importance
• This arrangement of needs is known as a hierarchy
• Workers work in order to satisfy these needs
• Once a need has been satisfied it ceases to be a motivator
• Workers continue to work in order to satisfy the next need
• Once a certain level of needs has been satisfied it ceases (stops) being a motivator
• The highest level is self actualisation
• Not many people reach this level of satisfaction
• It is possible for satisfaction of a certain level to be withdrawn
• For example a person may lose their job security when there is danger of them losing their job
• It is also possible for individuals to move up and down the hierarchy in terms of satisfying their needs

The levels of needs

1. Physiological Needs:
   • These are the basic needs/basic requirements for survival and continued biological existence
   • Examples are food, shelter, water, sex (reproduction)
2. Safety Needs:
   • They need to feel safe and free of fear
   • For example by wearing protective clothing such as gloves, helmets, hazmat suits etc
3. Social Needs:
   • Human beings are social animals
   • They have a need to start and maintain relationships with others
   • as well as have a sense of belonging
4. Esteem Needs:
   • These are the needs for self-respect and
   • respect from and by others
   • Employees need to be recognised whenever they do something worthy of recognition
   • For example prizes, awards, medals, certificates, thank yous etc
5. Self-Actualisation:7
   • This is the need to reach your fullest potential
   • This can be achieved through promotions

This theory can be used in a number of ways to motivate workers.

To access more topics go to the O Level Business Notes page.