Key Management Development Models, 3rd Edition

5

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

The big picture

American psychologist Abraham Maslow (1908–1970) suggested in 1943 that humans have certain basic needs and as each need is fulfilled, so another arises. Starting with physiological/survival needs we progress through a need for safety to requiring a sense of love or belonging, through developing our sense of self-esteem to a realisation of our full potential (described as ‘self-actualisation’).

The pyramid design (see Figure 5.1), though not part of Maslow’s work, has become the standardised way to display the hierarchical model, implying that each level, smaller than its predecessor, is more difficult to achieve.

The model is used worldwide in education, psychology, sociology, training and a variety ...