Discuss Maslow’s Need-Hierarchy theory of motivation.

According to Maslow, an individual has many needs and their order can be determined. The moment an individual's first need, is satisfied, he gets worried about his next need. After the satisfaction of the second need, comes the third and this order continues till all his needs are satisfied. It is, therefore, clear that needs can be motivators. In order to satisfy needs an individual himself wants to work with vigour and full capacity.

Maslow has divided different human needs on the basis of priority into five parts which are shown in the following diagram:

Pyramid Representing Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

(i) Physiological Needs: In this category, those needs are included which need to be satisfied to keep a man alive. These needs include food, shelter, clothing and sleep, etc.

(ii) Safety or Security Needs: After physiological needs are satisfied, a man thinks about his safety. Safety needs include physical and economic needs. Physical safety refers to defence against accidents, attacks, diseases and other unexpected problems. Economic Safety means safety of livelihood and arrangement for old age.

(iii) Affiliation or Social Needs: Man is a social animal and wants to live in society honourably. It is, therefore, necessary that he should have friends and relatives with whom he can share his joys and sorrows.

(iv) Esteem and Status Needs: These needs are called ego needs. This means every human being wants to attain a higher status so that his power increases and he gets authority.

(v) Self-actualisation Needs: Self-actualisation needs refer to the desire to maximise whatever potential an individual possesses. For example, a musician wants to be proficient in music. Similarly, a poet wants to be a specialist in his field.