The premise of this paper is that there exist primal “triggers” in the human genome that when activated by stimuli initiate genetic instructions of motivation, the urge to do something in response to the instructions. In most situations that response is preconscious to the individual and followed by an unconscious decision and action. In other situations the response may provide conscious consideration, and then a decision to take action or not. Through the happenstance of life’s developments, or that of Providence’s provision of right circumstances, the author became aware of several primal triggers of the Homo sapiens species. These provided for the thriving survival of our species over the course of its existence of approximately 200,000 years; and, the development of the organizational existence of human civilization. Research by the author revealed that there are seven genetic “triggers” that activate genetic codes of instructions: four primary instructions regarding life, equality, growth, quality of life; and three secondary instructions regarding empathy, compassion, and in combination a generalized love for humanity. Because of the importance of these triggers, they are nominally labelled as “values.” They underlie decision-making whether consciously or unconsciously invoked, and quite literally determine “what works” to 1) support human survival, a thriving existence, and 2) the capability of material and social, political and economic development of civilization. These two considerations complete Maslow’s theory of human motivation in that the genetic instructions conceptually precede Maslow’s theoretical work, and conceptually complete his theoretical work. Maslow’s theory provided a profound breakthrough for the field of psychology. An excerpt of his theory is provided on pages 51 and 52 that represents the middle third of a holism. This paper provides a discussion of their first third of that holism, Maslow’s work, and the final third that complete the theory he published 78 years ago.

If you’ve ever attended a university, visited a motivational course or a self-improvement training, you have probably come across with the Maslow pyramid. This model was created in 1948, and it has become one of the best-known theories of motivation in human beings, used in business, psychology, marketing and education. This intuitive, easily interpretable, cognitively attractive model, which tidying up the chaos of motives is highly alluring. But there is one problem with it: it’s more likely to be false. In my paper, I propose a new motivational theory, with 3 psychological and 3 biological basic motives, and one which connects these. The seven basic motives of the fractal-like Catalysis motivational model integrates the main theories of motivation by Freud, Jung, and Gray. The conflicting and complementary motives become specific goals in a self-similar, scale-free way, while an intimate connection forms between the continually changing and at the same time stable personality, and the outer environment.

This article presents a review of the extant literature concerning Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory of motivation as the key component of Maslow’s broader view of motivation. It also includes a synopsis of prior criticisms of the theory. Further, this manuscript presents a Christian critique of Maslow’s motivation theory (specifically his methodology, view of human nature, and hierarchy of needs) so that the reader will gain new insights about motivation from a Christian worldview in contrast to Maslow’s secular model. After analyzing Maslow’s concepts, including self-actualization, peak experience, and the hierarchy of needs using a biblical perspective, we find that Maslow’s theory of human motivation is not supported by Scripture and Maslow is attempting to create a new worldview designed to supplant the traditional Christian worldview.