Hierarchy of Needs

Abstract
Measuring needs hierarchy theory based on Maslow model
is a suitable way for application in various human academic
disciplines. The purpose of this study was measuring Gonabad
people's needs and their relationship with demographic factors.
This study was conducted on 850 Gonabad residents aged 15
years and older. They were selected according to the stratified
sampling method and sample size proportion. Required data
for Maslow’s needs such as physiological, safety, belonging to
group, Esteem and self-actualization needs collected using a
researcher-made valid and reliable questionnaire. The data were
analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and the linear regression model.
In this study, 59% of participants were males and the rest were
females. Participants’ mean age and standard deviations were
35.39 and 14.27 respectively, ranging from 15 to 96 (3.50). In
this study, it was cleared that participants' biological needs had a
significant relationship with age, gender, education, occupation
and income. Also need to group supporting had a significant
relationship with gender, education, marital status, household
size and income. In the end, self-actualization needs with age,
gender, occupation, education, residency history, marital status
and number of children had a significant relationship. It appears
that demographic factors are very effective for determining true
needs of people based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
Keywords: Assessment, Demographic, Hierarchy, Need

The article focuses on key shortcomings of A. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. It discusses A. M aslow’s hierarchy of needs theory criticized for its abstractions, uncertainty and measurement methodology; moreover, it is difficult to find empirical research to support a hierarchy of special needs criticized in scholarly literature. The outcomes of the interfaces between value congruence and hierarchy of needs is an integral part of “Personal and Organizational Value Congruence in the Organizations of Lithuania” research. In it, the interfaces of hierarchy of needs with personal and organizational values have been established; relevance of the needs pyramid as well as personal and organizational value congruence blocks to a person working in the Lithuanian organization have been grounded. A comparative analysis of personal and organizational values congruence and A. M aslow’s hierarchy of needs demonstrate that certain values can be grouped by meaning according to the groups of needs singled out by A. Maslow. The analysis of the blocks of values and levels of needs shows that the physiological level of needs corresponds to the block of economic values, the security level of needs – to the physical block of values , and the social needs – to the blocks of social and moral values. The level of respect needs is related to aesthetic values and the level of self-expression needs – to spiritual and professional values. The results of the research also demonstrate that employees’ values are located in the same hierarchy developed by A. Maslow. First of all, an individual working in an organization attempts to satisfy his/her physiological and security needs, while social, respect and self-expression needs remain less important. An aggregate estimates analysis of personal and organizational values congruence allows us to distinguish different levels of the blocks of values and to describe employees’ hierarchy of values in the organization. The block of economic values can be attributed to physiological satisfaction; in order to satisfy their security needs, employees’ physical values should be appreciated in the organization. The importance of the blocks of moral and social values can be attributed to the level of social needs satisfaction in A. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, the aesthetic block of values – to respect, and the spiritual as well as professional blocks of values – to A. Maslow’s self-realization level of needs.