aslow's Theory of Needs

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Introduction

Proposed by Abraham Maslow in his

1943 paper A Theory of Human
Motivation.

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs is a

motivational theory that argues that
while people aim to meet basic needs,
they seek to meet successively higher
needs in the form of a hierarchy.

Maslow's theoryhas been applied in

nursing to guide the prioritization of
patient care needs

It is often represented as a pyramid

with five levels of needs.

Maslows hierarchy of needs

Maslows hierarchy of needs is a based on the
theory that one level of needs must be met
before moving on to the next step.

Self-actualization e.g. morality,

creativity, problem solving.

Esteem e.g. confidence, selfesteem, achievement, respect.

Belongingness e.g. love, friendship,

intimacy, family.

Safety e.g. security of environment,

employment, resources, health,
property.

Physiological e.g. air, food, water,

sex, sleep, other factors towards

homeostasis.
Assumptions

Maslows theory maintains that a

person does not feel a higher need
until the needs of the current level
have been satisfied.

B and D Needs
Deficiency or deprivation needs
The first four levels are
considered deficiency or deprivation needs (Dneeds) in that their lack of satisfaction causes a
deficiency that motivates people to meet these
needs
Growth Needs or B-Needs or Being Needs

The needs Maslow believed to be

higher, healthier, and more likely to
emerge in self-actualizing people
were being needs, or B-needs.

Growth needs are the highest level,

which is self-actualization, or the selffulfillment.

Maslow suggested that only two

percent of the people in the world
achieve self actualization. E.g.
Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson,
Albert Einstein, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Self actualized people were reality and

problem centered.

They enjoyed being by themselves,

and having deeper relationships with a
few people instead of more shallow
relations with many people.

They tended to be spontaneous and

simple.
Application in Nursing

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a useful

organizational framework that can be
applied to the various nursing models
for assessment of a patients strengths,
limitations, and need for nursing
interventions. (Smeltzer SC, Bare BG,
2004)

References
1.

Health Care Delivery and Nursing

Practice. In Brunner & Suddarths
Textbook of Medical-Surgical Nursing,
(Edtrs. Smeltzer SC, Bare BG.) 10th
Edition. Lippincott Williams and
Wilkins. Philadelphia. 2003.

2.

Psychiatry, Third Edition. Edited by

Allan Tasman, Jerald Kay, Jeffrey A.
Lieberman, Michael B. First and Mario
Maj. John Wiley & Sons, Ltd, 2008.

3.

Maslow, A. H.. A Theory of Human

Motivation. Psychological Review, 50,
1943. pp. 370.