Motivation
RUNNING HEAD: HUMAN NEEDS
Maslow’s Theory of Motivation and Hierarchy of Human Needs:
A Critical Analysis
Allison Ruby Reid-Cunningham, MSW
School of Social Welfare
University of California – Berkeley
Prepared under the supervision of Dr. William McKinley Runyan
School of Social Welfare
PhD Qualifying Examination December 3, 2008
Table of Contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Conceptual Framework and Methods ………………………………………………... 4
Motivation Theory …………………...……………………………………………….... 5
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs o Physiological Needs o Safety Needs o Love Needs o Esteem Needs o Self-Actualization Needs
Application of Motivation Theory to Abraham Maslow’s Life…………………….. 24
• Childhood o Physiological Needs o Safety Needs o Love Needs o Esteem Needs o Self-Actualization Needs
• Adult Life o Deficiency Needs: Physiological, Safety, Love, Esteem o Growth Needs: Self-Actualization
• Synthesis
Empirical and Theoretical Criticism ...….……...……………………………..…….. 55 o Deprivation: The Chronically Hungry Person o Gratification: The Chronically Satiated Person o Cultural Relativity and Universalism o The Utility of the Original Five Categories of Needs o Ecological Model of Human Needs o Directions for Future Research
Implications for Society and Social Welfare ..………………….…………………… 73
Figures …………………………………………………………………………………. 78
References ……………………………………………………………………………... 79
Abstract
Background: Although the research support for Maslow’s theory is still developing, the concepts have provided a framework for positive psychology and have been utilized to conceptualize policy, practice, and theory in the social sciences for 65 years. Human behavior is motivated by the satisfaction or frustration of needs, which are arranged in a hierarchy of prepotency from physiological, to safety, to social, to esteem, to self-actualization.
Aims: Using a psychobiography
Maslow’s Theory of Motivation and Hierarchy of Human Needs:
A Critical Analysis
Allison Ruby Reid-Cunningham, MSW
School of Social Welfare
University of California – Berkeley
Prepared under the supervision of Dr. William McKinley Runyan
School of Social Welfare
PhD Qualifying Examination December 3, 2008
Table of Contents
Abstract …………………………………………………………………………………. 3
Conceptual Framework and Methods ………………………………………………... 4
Motivation Theory …………………...……………………………………………….... 5
• Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs o Physiological Needs o Safety Needs o Love Needs o Esteem Needs o Self-Actualization Needs
Application of Motivation Theory to Abraham Maslow’s Life…………………….. 24
• Childhood o Physiological Needs o Safety Needs o Love Needs o Esteem Needs o Self-Actualization Needs
• Adult Life o Deficiency Needs: Physiological, Safety, Love, Esteem o Growth Needs: Self-Actualization
• Synthesis
Empirical and Theoretical Criticism ...….……...……………………………..…….. 55 o Deprivation: The Chronically Hungry Person o Gratification: The Chronically Satiated Person o Cultural Relativity and Universalism o The Utility of the Original Five Categories of Needs o Ecological Model of Human Needs o Directions for Future Research
Implications for Society and Social Welfare ..………………….…………………… 73
Figures …………………………………………………………………………………. 78
References ……………………………………………………………………………... 79
Abstract
Background: Although the research support for Maslow’s theory is still developing, the concepts have provided a framework for positive psychology and have been utilized to conceptualize policy, practice, and theory in the social sciences for 65 years. Human behavior is motivated by the satisfaction or frustration of needs, which are arranged in a hierarchy of prepotency from physiological, to safety, to social, to esteem, to self-actualization.
Aims: Using a psychobiography
References: Conceptual Framework and Methodology Psychobiography can be defined as systematic investigation of a life history that employs an explicit theory (Runyan, 1982) Motivation Theory Maslow (1943a, 1943b, 1954, 1970 ) proposed a positive theory of human motivation that was based on his studies of successful people including his own mentors