Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Human Needs

Definition

• Each individual has unique characteristics, but certain needs are common to all people.
• A need is something that is desirable, useful or necessary. Human needs are physiologic and psychological conditions that an individual must meet to achieve a state of health or well-being.

Physiologic

1. Oxygen
2. Fluids
3. Nutrition
4. Body temperature
5. Elimination
6. Rest and sleep
7. Sex

Safety and Security

1. Physical safety
2. Psychological safety
3. The need for shelter and freedom from harm and danger

Love and belonging

1. The need to love and be loved
2. The need to care and to be cared for.
3. The need for affection: to associate or to belong
4. The need to establish fruitful and meaningful relationships with people, institution, or organization

Self-Esteem Needs

1. Self-worth
2. Self-identity
3. Self-respect
4. Body image

Self-Actualization Needs

1. The need to learn, create and understand or comprehend
2. The need for harmonious relationships
3. The need for beauty or aesthetics
4. The need for spiritual fulfillment

Characteristics of Basic Human Needs

1. Needs are universal.
2. Needs may be met in different ways
3. Needs may be stimulated by external and internal factor
4. Priorities may be deferred
5. Needs are interrelated

Maslow’s Characteristics of a Self-Actualized Person

1. Is realistic, sees life clearly and is objective about his or her observations
2. Judges people correctly
3. Has superior perception, is more decisive
4. Has a clear notion of right or wrong
5. Is usually accurate in predicting future events
6. Understands art, music, politics and philosophy
7. Possesses humility, listens to others carefully
8. Is dedicated to some work, task, duty or vocation
9. Is highly creative, flexible, spontaneous, courageous, and willing to make mistakes
10. Is open to new ideas
11. Is self-confident and has self-respect
12. Has low degree of self-conflict; personality is integrated
13. Respect self, does not need fame, and possesses a feeling of self-control
14. Is highly independent, desires privacy
15. Can appear remote or detached
16. Is friendly, loving and governed more by inner directives than by society
17. Can make decisions contrary to popular opinion
18. Is problem centered rather than self-centered
19. Accepts the world for what it is