Psychology

Abraham Maslow, in 1943, formulated the hierarchy of needs theory of human motivation in which he hypothesized that it is unsatisfied needs that motivate human beings (Fulton  Maddock, 1998). In his theory, Maslow indicated that human needs can be categorized and into five distinct levels and that needs falling in a lower level must be satisfied before an individual can stop acting selfishly regarding their satisfying factors and be motivated to satisfy higher needs.

It is true that some motives are more basic than others. For example, physiological needs may be referred to as primary needs since they are the foundation of human existence. A human being cannot survive without food, water and breathing air. The motivation to satisfy them must therefore be more fundamental than that of achieving social status and recognition (Fulton  Maddock, 1998). In fact, food, clothing and shelter have been universally declared not just needs, but rights. Additionally, motivation to satisfy the need for self esteem and respect by others, which Maslow put under esteem needs (level four) fades when personal, employment and health security is not assured (Fulton  Maddock, 1998).

These motives are therefore not equally important. For example, a person cannot survive without food and water. Gainful employment caters for these, therefore motivation to achieve job security and personal health is greater that motivation to acquire status or leadership in society (Fulton  Maddock, 1998). Furthermore, priorities vary from one person to another and from culture to culture. For example, Buddhists believe that the pursuit for spiritual purity is the ultimate objective of human existence material and other earthly achievements are all vanity (Fulton  Maddock, 1998).