• What is Maslow's Pyramid?
• Maslow's Pyramid Example

We explain what Maslow's pyramid is and how it ranks the different needs of people. Example of each rung.

It was proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943.

What is Maslow's Pyramid?

Maslow's Pyramid, also called Pyramid of Human Needs or “The carrot” (The Carrot), is a psychological theory that hierarchizes the different aspects of the needs of the human being, and organizes them in a structure pyramidal (or inverted carrot). It was proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943, in his book A theory about human motivation (in English: A Theory of Human Motivation).

The hierarchy that organizes in this pyramid the needs of the Humans comprises five levels (listed in ascending order):

1. Basic or physiological needs. The most basic of needs refers to those necessary for the immediate physical survival of the individual, such as breathe, hydrate, feed, sleep, avoid pain, eliminate bodily waste, maintain temperature body etc.
2. needs of security and protection. These are needs related to shelter from the elements, as well as the resources necessary to sustain the life over time, such as a home, material resources, medicines, etc.
3. Social or affiliation needs. Those linked to the gregarious and social nature of the human being, such as relationships of friendship, partner, companionship, etc.
4. Needs for esteem or recognition. Those that are linked to social positioning, the appreciation of others or recognition in a relevant professional or vital area. It is divided into two different areas, according to Marlow:
   • High esteem.It has to do with the individual's respect for himself, his self-worth, confidence, competition, achievements, independence, etc.
   • Low esteem. It refers to respect that comes from others, such as attention, public recognition, fame, glory, dignity, etc.
5. Self-actualization needs. The highest rung of the pyramid has to do with the motivation vital, the highest psychological need of human beings, which has to do with finding an intimate meaning to existence.

Maslow's theory was based on the fact that the satisfaction of the higher needs cannot occur until the lower ones have been completely covered. In this sense, he divided the pyramid into two groups: the first four levels were considered "deficit needs" (deficit needs or D-needs) and the tip of the pyramid "need for being or self-realization" (being needs or B-needs). ), since the realization of the latter depended mainly on the former.

Maslow affirmed that only the deficiencies or dissatisfactions of these rungs mobilized the people, since the satisfied need does not generate any behavior.

On the other hand, of all the needs of the Maslow Pyramid, only those of the first rung are born with the human being, the others are acquired as they are integrated into the society. For this reason they predominate over the higher ones, and only by satisfying the lower rung can the pyramid be scaled. In contrast, self-actualization needs are not present in all individuals, and disappear from view if one of the most basic needs momentarily fails.

See also: Human development

Maslow's Pyramid Example

Here is a fictitious example of the five steps of the pyramid:

1. Contribute a transcendent artistic work to the humanity.
2. Pursue a university career and win artistic awards.
3. Friends, especially from the artistic field.Have occasional lovers.
4. Have a stable house, a bed and an artistic workshop. To have a job.
5. Eat Drink Water, sleep and bathe daily.