The Role Of Maslow'S Hierarchy Of Needs In One’s Life
Maslow's hierarchy of needs was developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow. Maslow was born on April 1st 1908 in Brooklyn, New York and died on June 8th 1970 from a heart-attack. In 1934 Maslow finished his PhD in psychology in the year that followed Maslow began the research that changed the way we thing about human sexuality. Maslow's heirarchy is relatable to nursing in the fact that it encompasses the entire field of nursing. We strive to make people healthy and well and be able to be independent, we give them the chance to achieve self-actualization.
I chose this topic because of the amount of times I have come across this theory, Maslow’s theory is a part of critical thinking, psychology fundamentals of nursing, life skills development. Maslow's theory is a foundation. Maslow's theory of needs is depicted as a pyramid with five rows and each row has a different need. Starting at the bottom of the pyramid is physiological needs then safety, belonging, esteem and finally at the top is self-actualization. Self-actualization cannot be achieved until all other needs have been met. The very bottom of the pyramid and undoubtedly the most important part of the pyramid is the foundation. The physiological needs that are essential for survival make up this row examples include food, oxygen, shelter, sex, sleep, warmth and water. These needs themselves also has a mini list of its own on which needs are more important than others.
The average human must find water within days or face dying from dehydration, the human body can go weeks without food but a human can only go minutes without breathing. Once all these needs are met the person can then personally grow and attempt to achieve the next row in the pyramid. Safety needs are the needs of protection from the elements, security, law and order, stability and freedom from fear. Over time the stability of row one reinforces the sense of security; removing the anxiety from the question, where is your next meal is coming from? Instead of just wanting a shelter to live in to keep warm in the desire to have a nice safe home manifests.
Once physical security is acquired and and established the desire to have relationships begins. Relationships can be anything from having a girlfriend or spouse, having children and/or being a part of a community. If you fail at this or do not fully achieve what you are looking for in your relationships depression and anxiety can result. The need closest to the top is the need for self-esteem, how you feel about yourself. How you feel your colleagues perceive you. When you are content and happy with yourself on the outside you can then move on. You complete this journey at self-actualization needs. You have realized or are realizing your potential you strive to grow emotionally personally financially and spiritually. You strive to achieve everything you can.
