The first needs that must be met before others according to maslow

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a charted set of human requirements that are important for an individual to achieve complete development and self-actualization. The hierarchy of needs is a theory of psychologist Abraham Maslow.

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• Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Defined
• The History of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Levels and Examples of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Physiological Needs
• Safety Needs
• Love and Belonging Needs
• Esteem Needs
• Self-Actualization Needs
• Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to Reach One's Career Potential
• Final Thoughts
• Top Takeaways
• What is the first need according to Maslow?
• What needs must be met before any other need on Maslow's hierarchy?
• What is the first need that must be met?
• What are the 5 stages of Maslow?

The hierarchy is diagramed as a pyramid starting at the bottom with basic needs that must be satisfied for an individual to be able to progress to addressing more secondary needs. It’s understood that a person who has to struggle to survive doesn’t think as much about or attain self-actualization as a person whose survival is relatively assured.

The hierarchy of needs shows the general progression of pursuits for people once survival and comfort are assured into the spiritual, the creative and or intellectual. The levels of the hierarchy, starting from the base of the pyramid are:

1. Physiological needs - These are biological requirements for human survival. Examples include air, food, water, shelter, clothing, warmth, sex and sleep.
2. Safety needs – Examples include protection from elements, security, order, law and stability.
3. Love and belongingness needs – These are the first of social needs, involving the desire for interpersonal relationships and being part of a group. Examples of these needs include friendship, intimacy, trust, acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love.
4. Esteem needs - Classified into two categories:
   1. Self-esteem, stemming from dignity, achievement, mastery and independence.
   2. The desire for reputation or respect from others, including status and prestige.
5. Self-actualization needs – Examples include realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment and seeking personal growth and peak experiences.

Maslow broke down the first four levels of his hierarchy into deficit needs that generally must be satisfied before moving on to being or growth needs of the self-actualization level of the hierarchy. A notable difference in growth needs is that achievement increases motivation where achievement of deficit needs causes a decrease in motivation.

In 1983, Maslow was noted as clarifying that person may not require 100% satisfaction of all previous levels to move on to higher needs. He also pointed out that a life journey might well involve a non-linear progression through the hierarchy. People’s previously filled needs may require addressing again, owing to setbacks in their lives. Major life events such as a move, break up or divorce, for example, may leave individuals with previously filled needs to address.

It is difficult for job-seekers and employees to meet the needs of employers if they don’t meet theirs first. By understanding Maslow's hierarchy of needs and focusing on primary needs first, individuals can eventually shift their focus to reaching their highest career potential.

The psychological concept known as Maslow's hierarchy of needs can provide job-seekers and employees with a road map for meeting their life and workplace needs.

Gain a better understanding of Maslow's hierarchy of needs and how it can help lead to career success.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Defined

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory and model that outlines human needs, categorizing them from the most basic to the less important. 

A pyramid shape illustrates the model's levels. Physiological needs, those necessary to sustain life, are featured at the bottom. The theory is that a person must satisfy the needs at the bottom of the hierarchy before focusing on the next level. From bottom to top, the needs on the pyramid are:

• Physiological
• Safety
• Love and belonging
• Esteem
• Self-actualization

The History of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

First introduced in a 1943 paper titled A Theory of Human Motivation, Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs describes human motivation as he viewed it.

Abraham Maslow's book, Motivation and Personality, initially published in 1954, discusses the hierarchy of needs in great detail. It features a comprehensive analysis of the hierarchy. It explains the differences between each need and provides evidentiary support for his theory, which ultimately suggests that a higher level of satisfaction equates to a higher level of health. 

Levels and Examples of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

When applying Maslow's hierarchy of needs to a career, it is important first to understand each need and its impact on human motivation.

Emily Liou, PHR, ELI-MP, CPC, a LinkedIn Top Voice and career happiness coach writes, "From Maslow's hierarchy of needs, we can see that you really need your basic needs met, which is your food, water, rent, etc. Without this basic foundation, it's really hard to focus on the other layers of your pyramid, like connecting with others and building your esteem. Without securing this foundation, it's difficult to feel like you have something to contribute and accomplish."

Physiological Needs

According to Maslow, physiological needs consist of bare necessities humans require to live, or at the very least, enjoy a basic quality of life. These needs include: 

• Food
• Fresh drinking water
• Fresh air
• Sleep
• Clothing
• Reproduction

Safety Needs

Situated just above physiological needs on the hierarchy are safety needs. These vital requirements are what keep humans safe and healthy. They include:

• Personal security
• Employment
• Resources, including money
• Health
• Property

Love and Belonging Needs

Love and belonging needs may be less essential than physiological or safety needs, but it is important not to understate their importance for the quality of life. These include:

• Friendship
• Intimacy
• Family
• Sense of connection

Esteem Needs

Esteem describes the way an individual feels about themselves, as well as the way others feel about them. When looking at Maslow's hierarchy of needs, esteem includes:

• Respect
• Self-esteem
• Status
• Recognition
• Strength
• Freedom

Self-Actualization Needs

Sitting at the top of Maslow's pyramid is self-actualization. This category of needs may only be achievable once others are mostly or fully met. Fulfilling the need for self-actualization usually results in the person reaching what they regard as their highest potential for personal growth. It can include:

• Self-acceptance and acceptance of others
• Creativity
• Autonomy
• Sense of purpose
• Empathy for others
• Sense of humor and ability to laugh at one's mistakes

Using Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to Reach One's Career Potential

Employers and employees alike can focus on contributing to a safe, comfortable work environment. Employers can consider implementing employee wellness programs that ensure workers have the tools needed to meet needs toward the bottom of the hierarchy, along with training and growth opportunities that help employees reach self-actualization through recognition and awareness.

Employees and job-seekers can also consider the hierarchy when analyzing their job satisfaction and how well they expect a potential employer to meet their needs.

Final Thoughts

Although there are many ways to strive for career success, it can be helpful for job-seekers and employers to consider how fulfilling a career is according to Maslow's hierarchy of needs. By meeting basic needs before others, individuals may find they have more energy and desire to focus on reaching self-actualization and, in turn, reaching their full potential at work.

Top Takeaways

• Needs at the lowest point of Maslow's hierarchy are vital to human survival and, according to Maslow's theory, must be met first.
• Individuals who meet most other needs will likely achieve self-actualization, which is at the top of the hierarchy. Those who reach the top of Maslow's hierarchy have fulfilled their highest potential through understanding their skills, strengths and goals.
• Maslow's hierarchy of needs can provide workers with a solid foundation for achieving career goals through healthy living and self-awareness. The hierarchy can be useful for employers and employees alike when contributing to a healthy, safe work environment.

(Reporting by NPD)

What is the first need according to Maslow?

What needs must be met before any other need on Maslow's hierarchy?

What is the first need that must be met?

What are the 5 stages of Maslow?