It’s the Covid-19 period and you ever thought what would be different if the pandemic didn’t hit us during this period?
Most of us who are suffering from this unpredictable situation may feel really shitty about ourselves especially when we are already unsure of what lies in-front of us initially.
Come on with me as I will be sharing on the psychological aspect on the reason we are feeling what we are feeling.
Let’s dive right into the Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.
The Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is actually a motivational theory that helps human beings to understand how they can progress further and do better in life.
As you can see from the colourful pyramid above, there are A total of five stages in the Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. It was said that one would be difficult to move on to the top of the pyramid without meeting the needs at the bottom of the pyramid.
However, as each individual is unique in his own way, some may prioritise the higher level of needs to the lower ones though one would definitely prioritise anything else over their physiological needs. This is because the physiological needs are what you need for your human body in order for it to work and function properly
Physiological needs
Physiological needs are the most essential needs to a human being. This need is needed in order for the human body to function properly as mentioned above. For instance, Food, water, warmth and rest.
Without these factors, there would not be enough energy for the human body to be in shape. Hence, this is the most essential need of the human body and d be prioritised in any case even if there are other level of needs that are unmet.
An example:
A man who have been working more than 12 hours a day for 3 days straight to meet his deadline has fainted in his office and was sent to the hospital. This shows that without the physiological needs, the body is unable to function for the man to continue working.
Safety needs
The 2nd level of basic need is to be able to feel safe in your environment. This is to be achieved after your physiological needs are being met.
Humans have the need to experience stability, predictability and the ability to control their lives. These can be sufficed with:
Better healthcare - Reassured and confident even if they get into life danger or fall ill.
Stronger law enforcers - Police officers and armed forces to protect the citizens in the country; Social security
Better economy - Secured job opportunities and financial status of the country.
An example:
Up till today there are still no vaccine developed for Covid-19 and people are living in fear and unpredictability. This is an example of people who have shortchanged their safety needs.
Love and belongingness needs
The 3rd level of this motivational theory would be the need for a human being to feel loved and included.
In my very own words, I would explain this need as the ability to sense humanity. This need can be met with the receiving and giving away of compassion. The act of kindness and showing care to people around you.
It is also important for someone to feel accepted into part of the community or group
An example: Though probably not applied to everyone, children or adolescents who are constantly bullied and feel not accepted by people who are around them would feel very helpless and might even start to get involved with secret society which is how they seek a place to belong.
Esteem needs
The 4th level of the needs that has to be met is Esteem needs. Esteem needs can be classified into 2 groups where one is on a personal level and the other one is on a social level. This need is highly associated with the level of confidence and pride.
[Personal level]
Acheivements
Self-contentment
[Social level]
Status e.g. social, financial
Reputation
Recognition
An example: An employee who does not get recognised of his hard work where on the personal level he feels like he have not achieved anything and he felt that he is also not earning enough to pay his bills. This means that he is not satisfied with financial status and hence he have not have his esteem needs met.
Self-actualisation needs
This is the 5th and highest level in the pyramid of the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. To achieve this need, one would have to unleash his utmost potential in order to accomplish his greatest desire and become the most of one can be.
An example: Basically succeed in life and become the most of yourself.
Additional information (good to know)
Maslow later then re-evaluated the original 5 stages of hierarchy of needs into an 8 stages motivational theory.
The additional 3 stages are cognitive, aesthetic and transcendence needs Respectively.
The new hierarchy now looks like this:
Physiological needs
Safety needs
Love and Belongingness needs
Esteem needs
Cognitive needs - The hunger for knowledge to achieve a higher level of understanding ,
Aesthetic needs - The need to look presentable, pleasing or extraordinary .
Self-actualisation needs
Transcendence needs - self transcendence is to become or experience beyond the personal level. - e.g. mystical, spiritual or religious level
In conclusion
These needs do not neccessarily have to be met by the chronological order of the pyramid. However, the hierarchy of needs often work hand in hand with the physiological and safety needs which are categorised as the basic needs in the pyramid.
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