Maslow's pyramid (pyramid of needs): Explanations, applications & critiques

Introduction

Maslow's pyramid, also known as Maslow's pyramid of needs, is one of the most influential psychological theories in history. The model offers insight into human motivation and how needs influence our behaviors. Maslow's pyramid can be applied in a variety of fields, including education, marketing and leadership. In this blog post, we explain Maslow's pyramid, give several applications and describe critiques of this model.

Who is Abraham Maslow?

First, let's tell about Abraham Maslow, the namesake of Maslow's pyramid.

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was an American psychologist and one of the founders of humanistic psychology. This movement takes a positive view of the human spirit and assumes that people have an innate urge to self-actualize. He argued that people are inherently good and are fundamentally motivated by a set of universal needs. Maslow broke with then-dominant theories such as behaviorism and psychoanalysis because he believed they were too limited in their view of human nature.

In 1943, Maslow introduced his most famous work, the hierarchy of human needs, in his paper A Theory of Human Motivation. This hierarchy of needs later became known as Maslow's pyramid. This pyramid is a visual representation of the different levels of human motivation.

Pyramid of Maslow explanation

Maslow's pyramid is composed of 5 layers, with basic needs at the bottom and more abstract, complex needs appearing toward the top. The bottom layer, the physical needs, Maslow called lower fundamental needs. The 4 upper layers he called higher fundamental needs. According to Maslow, people cannot be motivated by the upper layers until the underlying needs are largely met. Thus, a person seeks security only when his physical needs are satisfied. You cannot skip a layer in the model. According to Maslow, needs are innate and universal.

Physical needs

At the very bottom of the pyramid are the physiological needs. These are the basic requirements for human survival, such as food, water, sleep, breathing and shelter. Without fulfilling these basic needs, it is impossible for humans to focus on higher goals. Physical survival takes priority over everything else.

Collateral Needs

The second layer includes the need for security and safety. This deals with the desire for stability and protection from threats, both physical and emotional. Think of security in the form of a roof over your head, financial stability, health and avoidance of danger. Only when a person feels secure can he or she focus on social and psychological needs.

Social needs

The third layer of the pyramid includes social needs, or the need for love, connection and friendship. Humans are social creatures by nature and have a desire to belong somewhere. This can include relationships with family, friends, romantic partners or being part of a community. Lack of social fulfillment can lead to feelings of loneliness and alienation.

Recognition

The fourth layer of Maslow's pyramid revolves around appreciation and recognition. This can be broken down into two subcategories: self-esteem (the feeling of self-worth) and the appreciation that comes from others, such as status, respect and recognition. People want to feel competent and be recognized for their achievements. Fulfilling this need contributes to self-confidence and personal growth.

Self-Actualization

At the top of the pyramid is self-actualization, also called self-development. This refers to fulfilling one's full potential. Self-actualization varies from person to person because it depends heavily on individual talents, ambitions and dreams. Self-actualization can manifest itself in creativity, personal development, pursuing ideals and finding meaning. According to Maslow, few people can reach this highest level because it is only possible when all other needs are met.

Applications of Maslow's pyramid

Maslow's theory has broad applications in various fields, such as education, health care, marketing and human resource management. For example, teachers in education can use the pyramid to assess what needs must be met in their students before they can fully focus on learning. For example, a child who is hungry or feels unsafe will not perform as well in school. Companies apply the theory to understand what needs their customers want met. For example, a luxury product is often positioned as a way to gain status and recognition (the fourth layer of the pyramid). Employers can use Maslow's hierarchy to understand how to motivate their employees, for example, by ensuring safety (good working conditions), social connectedness (teamwork), and recognition (promotions or bonuses).

Critique of Maslow's pyramid of needs

Although Maslow's theory has received much praise, there has also been criticism of Maslow's pyramid.

• Too rigid hierarchy. Critical thinkers argue that the order of the pyramid is too rigid. In practice, for example, people may strive for self-actualization (the top layer) while their basic needs are not yet fully met. Think of someone going on a hunger strike to achieve a higher goal.
• Cultural bias. Maslow's theory was developed in a Western context, where individualism and personal achievement are perceived as important. For example, in collectivist cultures, where group harmony and social relationships are more important, social needs may outweigh self-actualization.
• Lack of empirical evidence. Based largely on observations and philosophical ideas, the theory has found little empirical support over the years. Modern psychologists emphasize that human motivation is more complex than a simple hierarchy. In academia, therefore, Maslow's pyramid is seen as an outdated model.

This criticism, by the way, is only partly attributable to Abraham Maslow. He never presented his theory as a scientific model, but as a framework for concepts he was investigating. He also found his own theory difficult to prove. In 1962, he wrote about this:

My motivation theory was published 20 years ago, and in all that time nobody repeated it, or tested it, or really analyzed it or criticized it. They just used it, swallowed it whole with only the most minor modifications.

By the way, a 2019 study showed that Maslow did not invent the pyramid that bears his name himself at all. According to the authors, the pyramid was allegedly developed by a management consultant based on a misinterpretation of Maslow's theories.

Although Maslow's pyramid is not a scientifically proven model, you can use it as a tool for positioning a product or brand. You can also use it as a tool in Simon Sinek' s Golden Circle model to arrive at the why in this model.