The hierarchy of needs is a theory about the needs that motivate all humans developed by Abraham Maslow, a central figure in humanistic psychology and in the human potential movement. Maslow began to work out this theory of human motivation in the 1940s, and first published his thoughts in Motivation and Human Personality n 1954. Rejecting the determinism of both the psychoanalytic and behaviourist approaches, Maslow took an optimistic approach to human behaviour that emphasized developing ones full potential. He based his studies on successful historical and contemporary figures that he considered ‘ self-actualizers,’ including Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826), Abraham Lincoln ( 1809-1865), Jane Addams (1860-1935), Albert Einstein (1879-1955). In addition to drawing up a list of the common traits of these individuals, Maslow placed self- actualization at the peak of his hierarchy of human motivations, this is the concept which he is known best today.
This hierarchy is in a form of pyramid with five levels, it begins from the most basic needs at the bottom to the most complex and sophisticated at the top. From bottom to top, the levels are biological needs (food, water, shelter); safety; belongings and love; the need to be esteemed by others; and self actualisation, the need to realise ones full potential. According to Maslow, the needs at each level must be met before one can progress to the next level. Maslow considered less than one percent of the population to be self actualised individuals. However, he believed that all human beings still possessed a natural need to reach this stage.
As each of the needs become substantially satisfied, the next becomes dominant. In terms of the figure below, the individual moves up the steps of the hierarchy. From the standpoint of motivation, the theory would say that although no need is ever fully gratified, a substantially satisfied need no longer motivates. So if you want to motivate someone, according to Maslow, you need to understand what level of the hierarchy that person is currently on and focus on satisfying the needs at or above that level.
Maslow separated the 5 needs into higher and lower orders. Physiological and social needs were described as lower order, and social, esteem and self actualization as higher order needs. The differentiation between the two orders was made on the premise that higher order needs are satisfied internally (within the person), whereas lower order needs are predominantly satisfied externally by things such as; pay/ promotions etc.
My motivation:
I enjoy trading cars and would eventually like to open a car business, so the main reason for me to be here is to have an understanding of all aspects of running a successful business. I believe having decided to do the degree I am undertaking it will benefit me to achieve my goals in the coming future.
The following table will show how my motivation relates to Maslow’s theory
Physical needs-e.g. food and shelter -This is relevant for me to live
Social needs- belonging – sense of security and friendship -
Socializing with friends and family, and having communication networks amongst all friends e.g through face book
Esteem needs-recognition, strength and status - Status, power and trust
Self actualization- self fulfillment - At this stage I will fulfill my ambition
I was de-motivated in my previous job. I had a part time job during my A Level. I worked in a retail store. This job was very de-motivating for me as it was not something I enjoyed doing, as I always knew I was interested in cars. I continued working there for a year but I did not become motivated and eventually left.
Motivation theories discussed:
Motivation theory deals with how this best can be achieved. Most motivation theorists assume that motivation is involved in the performance of all learned responses; that is, a learned behaviour will not occur unless it is energized. The major question among psychologists, in general, is whether motivation is a primary or secondary influence on behaviour. That is, are changes in behaviour better explained by principles of environmental/ecological influences, perception, memory, cognitive development, emotion, explanatory style, or personality or are the concepts unique to motivation more relevant.
Motivation
- Many people incorrectly view motivation as a “personal trait” which is; some have it and some don’t.
- Experienced managers often label employees who seem to lack motivation as “Lazy”.
Motivation – The process that accounts for an individual’s intensity, direction, and persistence of effort toward attaining a goal. While general motivation is concerned with effort towards any goal. The 3 key elements in this definition are;
- Intensity: How hard a person tries
- Effort: directed towards, and consistent with, the organizations goals is the kind of effort we should be seeking.
Contemporary theories of motivation
- Contemporary theories represent the current state of the art in explaining employee motivation.
ERG Theory discussed: ALDFERS ERG THEORY
Llayton Aldfer has reworked Maslows need hierarchy to align it more closely with the empirical research. His revised need hierarchy is labeled ERG THEORY.
Alderfer argues that there are 3 groups of core needs:
I. EXISTENCE- providing basic material, existence requirements.
II. RELATEDNESS- Maintaining important interpersonal relationships.
III. GROWTH- Intrinsic desire for personal development.
Aside from substituting 3 needs from 5, how else does Aldefers ERG theory differ from Maslows? In contrast to the hierarchy of needs theory, the ERG theory demonstrates that;
I. More than one need may be operative at the same time, and
II. If the gratification of a higher level need is stifled, the desire to satisfy a lower level need increases.
Maslow’s hierarchy follows a rigid, step like progression the ERG theory does not assume that there exists a rigid hierarchy in which a lower need must be substantially gratified before one can move on. A person can for instance be working on growth event though existence or relatedness needs are unsatisfied, or all 3 need categories could be operating at the same time.
Evaluation / Conclusion
Having done future reading and revised the lecture notes it is clear that every individual is motivated by different things for example money, power, title etc can be a form of motivation. I believe I am only motivated when I am interested in something and enjoy it.
Others are motivated by money or power.
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