HRSM100
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs & Alderfer’s Variation Model
Lakewood University
HRSM100
Abraham Maslow's Theory of Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs contains five stages that describe human behavior.
The stages include self-actualization, esteem, love or belonging, safety, and psychological needs.
Maslow presents a triangle-like hierarchy with the bottom starting with basic needs and the
intangible needs at the top. At the bottom of the pyramid is psychological needs consisting of
basic survival needs such as reproduction, shelter, clothing, rest, water, and food (Maslow &
Press, 2019). To move to the next stage, a person should address the basic needs first. Safety
needs are the second in the hierarchy, including financial stability, health safety, well-being,
emotional strength, and protection from theft and violence. The third step is about belonging and
love desire, which describe human relationships such as spouses, family, and friendships.
The intimate emotional interactions and sexual intimacy make a feeling of elevation in
kinship. Love and belonging level also include social group membership, a team of colleagues,
clubs, or unions. The belonging and love needs are the last in the lower level of hierarchy. The
fourth stage is esteem needs which has ego-driven, self-respect, and feeling confident for
personal accomplishment and growth. The self-assessment, acknowledgment from others, and
respect determine esteem needs. Self-actualization is the fifth stage that describes the fulfillment
of full individual potential, at the pick of the pyramid (Maslow & Press, 2019). The self-
actualization needs include skills development, education, and talents such as cooking, design,
athletics, music, and entrepreneurial skills. A human being cannot move to address higher-level
needs without attending to basic needs adequately at the bottom of the pyramid.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs & Alderfer’s Variation Model
Lakewood University
HRSM100
Abraham Maslow's Theory of Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs contains five stages that describe human behavior.
The stages include self-actualization, esteem, love or belonging, safety, and psychological needs.
Maslow presents a triangle-like hierarchy with the bottom starting with basic needs and the
intangible needs at the top. At the bottom of the pyramid is psychological needs consisting of
basic survival needs such as reproduction, shelter, clothing, rest, water, and food (Maslow &
Press, 2019). To move to the next stage, a person should address the basic needs first. Safety
needs are the second in the hierarchy, including financial stability, health safety, well-being,
emotional strength, and protection from theft and violence. The third step is about belonging and
love desire, which describe human relationships such as spouses, family, and friendships.
The intimate emotional interactions and sexual intimacy make a feeling of elevation in
kinship. Love and belonging level also include social group membership, a team of colleagues,
clubs, or unions. The belonging and love needs are the last in the lower level of hierarchy. The
fourth stage is esteem needs which has ego-driven, self-respect, and feeling confident for
personal accomplishment and growth. The self-assessment, acknowledgment from others, and
respect determine esteem needs. Self-actualization is the fifth stage that describes the fulfillment
of full individual potential, at the pick of the pyramid (Maslow & Press, 2019). The self-
actualization needs include skills development, education, and talents such as cooking, design,
athletics, music, and entrepreneurial skills. A human being cannot move to address higher-level
needs without attending to basic needs adequately at the bottom of the pyramid.
