Maslow’s hierarchy of needs includes five levels of needs and argues that individuals will act

only to
meet their higher needs when their lower needs are met. Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
theory
is seen as the basis of many later developed theories. Maslow’s Theory of Hierarchy of Needs

People have biological, psychological and social aspects and therefore have various needs. These

needs, which can vary from person to person, follow a hierarchical order that progresses from
basic physiological needs towards social and psychological needs at a higher level. Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs Theory, which is at the forefront of the most important studies about
motivation, has also created the “Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid” by putting the needs in a certain
order (see fig.1).

Psychological Needs are the needs that have to be satisfied for the continuation of an individual’s

biological structures, such as taking oxygen, eating, drinking, sleeping, resting and sheltering.
Maslow described these needs as physiological drives which are the beginning of the motivation
theory and emphasized that it should be paid attention to two basic points. People first need
water, salt, sugar, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, and so on to ensure “homeostasis” in their
organisms (protection of the internal balance of the body). However, it is not possible to define
all the physiological needs with homeostasis. Needs such as sexual desire, sleep, caress, smell,
taste are not homeostatic but physiological needs. The second point that needs to be taken into
consideration is whether the need for food is a symptom of the real need or a lack of the body.
Physiological needs are compulsory. If they are not met to a certain extent, then other needs will
not occur to a great extent. It can hardly be argued that freedom and democracy, art, quality
music and sports are in the way they should be in people and societies that have not fulfilled their
compulsory needs (Maslow, 1954).

Safety Needs; although physiological needs are relatively satisfied, new needs arise that are
classified as safety needs (Maslow, 1943). These are the needs such as protection from danger,
being confident and not feeling fear (Daft, 2013). One dimension of your safety needs is to be
secured economically. The concept of insurance arising from the pension system and the worries
such as flood, fire, and theft is based on this need. The military and police organizations of the
communities are also due to their safety needs (Telimen, 1977; Eren, 2012). In addition, the
safety needs can also evolve according to the social concerns or the conditions of the country
they live in. Love & Belongingness Needs; once the physiological needs and safety needs are
fully met, the need for love, commitment and belongingness emerge. At this stage of the theory,
Maslow emphasizes that humans are social beings (Stephens, 2000; Adair, 2013). The
individual’s needs for belongingness and love represent a wide range of needs, such as feelings
of belonging (group membership, clubs, churches, business associations, etc.), spouse, child and
maternal love (Seeley, 1988). Individuals want the presence of love in their relations with
people, love, being loved, to be in the hearts of people and groups. This need category, which
consists of needs to be accepted by others, to establish friendships, to be with relatives, to exhibit
love to people around and to expect love from them, derives from the instincts of living together
to a great extent (Roger, 1970). According to Maslow (1943), except for a few pathological
exceptions, all people have a need or desire for a stable and sound self-assessment,

self-esteem and others’ respect. Sound self-esteem means self-respect based on true capacity,
success, and respect of others.

Esteem Needs; there are two kinds of esteem needs. The first is the need to be appreciated and
respected by others related to the reputation of a person, such as status, recognition, and
appreciation.
The other one is the need for self-appreciation and self-esteem, such as self-confidence,
independence,
success, and talent (Maslow, 1954, Griffin, 2013). Abraham Maslow, a renowned psychologist,
introduced the theory of human motivation known as Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. This theory
suggests that human needs can be arranged in a hierarchical order, with lower-level needs
requiring fulfillment before higher-level needs become motivators. The hierarchy consists of five
levels, often depicted as a pyramid.

1. Physiological Needs:

At the base of the pyramid are physiological needs, the most fundamental requirements for
survival. These include air, water, food, shelter, sleep, and reproduction. Until these needs are
met, an individual's focus tends to remain primarily on fulfilling these basic requirements.

2. Safety Needs:

Once physiological needs are satisfied, safety needs come into play. This level includes the need
for personal security, employment, health, property, and stability. People seek predictability,
order, and a sense of control in their lives to fulfill these needs.

3. Love/Belonging Needs:

The third level involves social needs, such as the need for love, friendship, intimacy, and a sense
of connection and belonging. Humans are social beings, and they crave relationships,
community, and a feeling of being accepted and loved by others.

4. Esteem Needs:

The fourth level pertains to esteem needs, which are categorized into two types:

 Esteem from Others: This includes the desire for recognition, respect, status, and
appreciation from others.
 Self-Esteem: This involves self-respect, confidence, achievement, and a sense of
competence. Individuals seek to feel good about themselves and their abilities.

5. Self-Actualization Needs:
At the pinnacle of the hierarchy lies self-actualization, representing the fulfillment of an
individual's potential and the realization of their capabilities. This involves personal growth, self-
fulfillment, creativity, achieving one's goals, and reaching a state of self-fulfillment and
contentment.

Maslow believed that as lower-level needs are met, higher-level needs become more dominant
motivators. However, not everyone progresses through these levels in a linear fashion. Life
circumstances, individual differences, and cultural influences can impact the prioritization and
fulfillment of these needs.

It's important to note that Maslow's theory has faced criticism for its hierarchical nature and its
assumption that the needs must be satisfied in a particular sequence. Additionally, some argue
that the theory might not be universally applicable across all cultures and individuals.

Nonetheless, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs remains a significant framework for understanding

human motivation and provides insights into what drives individuals to fulfill various needs in
their lives

David McClelland's Theory of Needs, also known as the Three Needs Theory, focuses on three
primary motivational needs that drive human behavior: the need for achievement (nAch), the
need for affiliation (nAff), and the need for power (nPow).

1. Need for Achievement (nAch):

The need for achievement refers to the desire to accomplish challenging goals, to excel, and to
continuously improve. Individuals high in this need tend to seek tasks where they can take
personal responsibility for their performance. They prefer tasks with a moderate level of
difficulty that offer a sense of accomplishment upon successful completion. These individuals
often possess characteristics such as persistence, a desire for feedback, and a focus on setting and
achieving realistic but challenging goals.

2. Need for Affiliation (nAff):

The need for affiliation involves the desire for warm and close relationships with others.
Individuals high in this need seek social acceptance, approval, and harmonious interactions.
They tend to prioritize cooperation, communication, and building strong interpersonal
relationships. Such individuals often avoid conflicts and strive for a sense of belonging in groups
or communities.

3. Need for Power (nPow):

The need for power refers to the desire to control and influence others, as well as the
environment. Individuals high in this need are motivated by authority, leadership opportunities,
and the ability to impact and guide others' actions. They may seek positions of authority, enjoy
competition, and thrive in situations where they can exercise influence over others or the
situation.

Key Aspects of McClelland's Theory:

1. Individual Differences:
 McClelland's theory emphasizes that individuals possess varying degrees of these
needs. Some people may have a strong need for achievement, while others may
prioritize affiliation or power.
2. Learned Needs:
 McClelland argued that these needs could be influenced by an individual's
experiences, upbringing, and cultural background. They are not purely innate but
can be developed and strengthened over time.
3. Impact on Behavior:
 These needs significantly influence an individual's behavior, choices, and
preferences in various life domains, including work, social interactions, and
personal goals.
4. Application in Work Settings:
 McClelland's theory has been widely applied in organizational psychology and
management. It has been used to understand employee motivation, leadership
styles, job satisfaction, and designing effective incentive systems in the
workplace.
5. Criticisms:
 One critique of McClelland's theory is its limited empirical support and the
challenge in measuring these needs reliably. Also, the theory has been criticized
for its potential cultural bias, as the needs might not hold universally across all
cultures.

Overall, McClelland's Theory of Needs provides valuable insights into understanding human
motivation and behavior by highlighting the importance of individual needs in driving actions
and decision

Similarity of theories
Both Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and David McClelland's Need Theory (often
referred to as the Three Needs Theory) are psychological theories that attempt to explain human
motivation. While there are differences between the two, there are also some similarities:

Similarities:
 1. Psychological Perspective:
 Both Maslow and McClelland approach their theories from a psychological
standpoint, seeking to understand the underlying motivations that drive human
behavior.
2. Hierarchy of Needs:
 Both theories, in different ways, propose a hierarchy or levels of needs that
individuals seek to fulfill. Maslow's Hierarchy is a pyramid with five levels,
whereas McClelland's theory identifies three primary needs.
3. Focus on Higher-Level Needs:
 Both theories recognize the importance of higher-level needs beyond basic
survival. Maslow's self-actualization needs and McClelland's need for
achievement, affiliation, and power are examples of these higher-level
motivations.
4. Individual Differences:
 Both theories acknowledge that individuals vary in their motivational needs. Not
everyone is motivated by the same factors, and personal differences play a crucial
role in determining which needs are more salient for a particular individual.
5. Application in Workplace:
 Both theories have been applied in organizational and workplace settings.
Maslow's Hierarchy and McClelland's needs are often considered in the context of
employee motivation, job satisfaction, and leadership.

Differences:

1. Number of Needs:
 One fundamental difference lies in the number of needs identified. Maslow's
Hierarchy consists of five levels, while McClelland's Need Theory focuses on
three needs: achievement, affiliation, and power.
2. Categorization of Needs:
 The nature of the needs also differs. Maslow's needs are broad and include
physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization, encompassing a range
of aspects of human experience. McClelland's needs are more specific, focusing
on achievement (desire for accomplishment), affiliation (desire for interpersonal
relationships), and power (desire to influence and control others).
3. Sequential vs. Concurrent Needs:
 Maslow's Hierarchy implies a sequential progression, suggesting that lower-level
needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs become motivators.
McClelland's theory allows for the concurrent existence of multiple needs,
meaning individuals can be motivated by more than one need at a time.
4. Cultural Differences:
 McClelland's theory is often criticized for potential cultural bias, as the needs he
identified may not be universally applicable. Maslow's Hierarchy, while not
immune to cultural criticism, is more broadly accepted across diverse cultural
contexts.
In summary, while both Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and McClelland's Need Theory share
some common ground in their exploration of human motivation, they differ in the number and
nature of the needs identified, as well as in the way they conceptualize the fulfillment of these
needs.