Maslow in the Workplace
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
In the workplace
J. Lewis
PSY 320
Human Motivation
Dr. Diana Strauss
May 23, 2006
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow 's wrote a called A Theory of Human Motivation. In this article, Abraham Maslow attempted to create a needs-based framework of human motivation and based upon his clinical experiences with humans. From this theory of motivation, modern leaders and executive managers find means of motivation for the purposes of employee and workforce management. The basis of Maslow 's theory basically states that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower needs need to be satisfied before higher needs can be satisfied. According to Maslow, As long as we are motivated to satisfy cravings, we are moving towards growth and self-actualization. As a result, for adequate workplace motivation, it is important that management understands which needs are active for individual employee motivation. In this regard, Abraham Maslow 's model indicates that basic, low-level needs such as physiological requirements and safety must be satisfied before higher-level needs such as self-fulfillment are pursued. As depicted in his hierarchical diagram, when a need is satisfied it no longer motivates and the next higher need takes its place. Below are the five needs defined: Basic needs are defined as physiological needs that must be met before a person can focus on any other aspect of their life, such as a social life. These needs are those required for sustenance: water, air, and food are several examples. Within the organizational framework, there are several examples of basic needs: rest periods, work breaks, lunch breaks, and wages. (Frunzi 50). The next level of the hierarchy is safety needs, which do not become motivating goals until the basic physiological needs are met. Examples in the workplace of safety needs are job security, seniority, pensions, hospitalization,
In the workplace
J. Lewis
PSY 320
Human Motivation
Dr. Diana Strauss
May 23, 2006
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Abraham Maslow 's wrote a called A Theory of Human Motivation. In this article, Abraham Maslow attempted to create a needs-based framework of human motivation and based upon his clinical experiences with humans. From this theory of motivation, modern leaders and executive managers find means of motivation for the purposes of employee and workforce management. The basis of Maslow 's theory basically states that human beings are motivated by unsatisfied needs, and that certain lower needs need to be satisfied before higher needs can be satisfied. According to Maslow, As long as we are motivated to satisfy cravings, we are moving towards growth and self-actualization. As a result, for adequate workplace motivation, it is important that management understands which needs are active for individual employee motivation. In this regard, Abraham Maslow 's model indicates that basic, low-level needs such as physiological requirements and safety must be satisfied before higher-level needs such as self-fulfillment are pursued. As depicted in his hierarchical diagram, when a need is satisfied it no longer motivates and the next higher need takes its place. Below are the five needs defined: Basic needs are defined as physiological needs that must be met before a person can focus on any other aspect of their life, such as a social life. These needs are those required for sustenance: water, air, and food are several examples. Within the organizational framework, there are several examples of basic needs: rest periods, work breaks, lunch breaks, and wages. (Frunzi 50). The next level of the hierarchy is safety needs, which do not become motivating goals until the basic physiological needs are met. Examples in the workplace of safety needs are job security, seniority, pensions, hospitalization,
References: Frunizi, George L., and Patrick E. Savini. Supervision: The Art of Managment. Prentice Hall, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1997 Hodgetts, Richard M., and Fred Luthans. International Management. Irwin Mc-Graw Hill, Boston, MA, 2000. Schermerhorn, John R., and James G. Hunt and Richard N. Osborn. Organizational Behavior. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 2000. Retrieved May 20, 2006 from http://www.envisionsoftware.com/Articles/ Maslows_Needs_Hierarchy.html