Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Biology

share icon
share icon
banner

Understanding Each Level of Maslow’s Hierarchy with Real-Life Examples

Abraham Maslow in his paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” published in the year 1943 had put forth a series of human needs that are positioned in a pyramid hierarchy, and have to be met accordingly. 


The identified needs are – physiological needs, safety needs, love, and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualisation needs. 


1.Physiological Needs 

These are the most primitive needs of an individual which have to be met continuously such as clothing, sufficient rest, air, sleep, water, food, shelter.


2.Safety Needs 

It ranks above basic physiological needs and ensures the survival of an individual such as physical security, employment, financial security, and emotional stability.


3.Love and Belonging Needs 

It is the starting point of interpersonal relationships and transcends basic material needs such as family relationship, friendship, intimate partner relationship, etc.


4.Esteem Needs 

Esteem needs indicate individuals require validation for their competence, at some levels. It imparts the sense of being worthy of respect. According to Maslow, self-esteem is of two types-one that is based on respect from others and the other one based on one’s self-assessment. 

 

5.Self-Actualisation Needs 

Self-actualisation means meeting one’s potential and harnessing the ability to reach such potential. This is the highest need to be met after fulfilling the other needs down the pyramid rung. Example – pursuing goals leading to personal fulfillment. 


These identified needs may be grouped into growth or being needs and deficit needs. The growth needs primarily include self-actualisation, which includes the desire to gain something intangible for self-accomplishment. The rest fall under deficit needs as the deprivation of these has to be met necessarily.


Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Examples 

Consider these real-life examples.


  • Apart from breathing and eating, bathing and dressing also form parts of integral activities fulfilling our basic physiological needs.

  • Pension or retirement benefits are a critical part of social needs for senior individuals. It belongs to safety needs. 


Importance of Maslow’s Needs Theory 

The hierarchy of needs was propounded by Maslow in the domain of psychology and his paper was published in the journal of psychological review. However, the theory has found application in various domains, and as such gaining greater importance with every passing day in business settings. 


For a theory which was put forward in 1943, its significance has not diminished in the twenty-first century at all. In both individual and organisational contexts, the identification and fulfillment of these inherent needs provide the scope for self-improvement, personal development, and growth. 


Did You Know?

Maslow’s 7 hierarchy of needs has found much greater application in organisation and business settings. The goods and services which were previously offered by businesses are also undergoing significant changes. 


Moving from physical and tangible goods, these offer intangible things like connectivity and information. Maslow’s hierarchy model is particularly vital in bringing in newer changes in the financial markets.


Test Your Knowledge 

i. According to the Maslow pyramid of needs, after all the physiological needs are met, which of the following aspects do individuals desire?


  1. Esteem needs

  2. Belonging needs

  3. Self-actualisation needs

  4. Safety needs


ii. Rebecca always feels she is never included in social events or group activities which has given rise to loneliness and depression. According to Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which of the following needs has not been fulfilled?


  1. Safety needs  

  2. Physiological needs 

  3. Esteem needs  

  4. Belonging needs 


Solutions: i. (C) Self-actualisation needs, ii. (D) Belonging needs

Want to read offline? download full PDF here
Download full PDF
Is this page helpful?
like-imagedislike-image

FAQs on Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Biology

1. What is the fundamental concept of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in psychology, proposed by Abraham Maslow, suggesting that human actions are motivated by the goal of meeting five core needs. This theory, a key part of humanistic psychology, presents these needs in a hierarchical pyramid, where basic needs at the bottom must be met before individuals can attend to higher-level needs.

2. What are the five levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, in order?

The five levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, starting from the base of the pyramid, are:

  • Physiological Needs: These are biological requirements for survival, such as air, food, water, shelter, clothing, warmth, and sleep.

  • Safety Needs: This level includes the need for security, order, law, and stability, such as personal security, financial security, and health and well-being.

  • Love and Belongingness Needs: After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the need for interpersonal relationships, friendship, intimacy, and family becomes important.

  • Esteem Needs: This level involves the need for self-esteem, achievement, competence, independence, and the respect of others.

  • Self-Actualisation Needs: This is the highest level, representing the realisation of a person's full potential, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

3. Why is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs important in understanding human motivation?

The theory is important because it provides a simple yet powerful framework for understanding that human motivation is not random but follows a structured progression. It explains how different needs can influence behaviour at different times. This model is widely applied in various fields, from psychology and education to business management, to help understand and support individuals in reaching their full potential.

4. Can you provide real-world examples for each level of Maslow's hierarchy?

Certainly. Here are some common real-world examples for each level:

  • Physiological Needs: Eating a meal when hungry, drinking water when thirsty, or finding a warm place to sleep.

  • Safety Needs: Locking your doors at night, having a steady job with a regular income, or having health insurance.

  • Love and Belongingness Needs: Joining a sports team, being part of a friend group, or maintaining close relationships with family.

  • Esteem Needs: Receiving an award at work, earning a degree, or mastering a new skill that brings you confidence.

  • Self-Actualisation Needs: Pursuing a passion like art or music, engaging in creative problem-solving, or dedicating oneself to a humanitarian cause.

5. Is it necessary to fully satisfy one level in the hierarchy before moving to the next?

This is a common misconception. Maslow's hierarchy is not a rigid, all-or-nothing framework. Maslow himself acknowledged that needs are not strictly sequential and that an individual can be motivated by multiple needs at once. For instance, a person can be seeking better job security (Safety) while also building friendships at work (Belongingness). The hierarchy represents the general tendency for lower-level needs to be more potent until they are reasonably satisfied.

6. What are some criticisms or limitations of Maslow's theory?

While highly influential, Maslow's theory faces several criticisms. Key limitations include:

  • Cultural Bias: The hierarchy is often seen as reflecting individualistic, Western values, and may not apply to collectivistic cultures where community or social needs might be prioritised over individual needs.

  • Lack of Empirical Evidence: It is difficult to empirically test and measure the satisfaction of each need and the progression through the hierarchy.

  • Rigid Order: Critics argue that the order of needs is not universal. For example, some individuals may prioritise esteem or self-actualisation (e.g., 'starving artists') over lower-level needs.

7. How does Maslow's theory connect to the field of Biology and human evolution?

From a biological perspective, the lower levels of Maslow's hierarchy align with fundamental evolutionary drives. Physiological and Safety needs are directly linked to an organism's primary goal: survival and reproduction. These are the most basic instincts. The higher-level needs, such as Belongingness and Esteem, reflect the evolutionary advantage of social cooperation and status within a group, which is crucial for a social species like humans. Self-actualisation can be seen as a uniquely human trait resulting from our advanced cognitive development. This connection helps frame human psychology within the broader context of the field of Biology.

8. Did Maslow ever expand his original five-level model?

Yes, later in his career, Maslow refined his theory and proposed an expanded model that included needs beyond the original five. These additions, often placed between Esteem and Self-Actualisation or at the very top, include:

  • Cognitive Needs: The desire to know, understand, and explore.

  • Aesthetic Needs: The appreciation for and search for beauty, balance, and form.

  • Transcendence: The highest level, where motivation comes from values that transcend the self, such as spiritual experiences or helping others achieve their own potential.


Competitive Exams after 12th Science
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow
tp-imag
bottom-arrow