Need theories Flashcards
What is Maslow’s theory about (1943)
He proposed the idea that basic human needs need to be satisfied before we can begin to satisfy higher needs.
What are the 5 levels of hierarchical needs?
Physiological needs. Safety and security. Social needs. Esteem and on the top, self actualisation
What stages does the updated model have? (1960s-1970s)
Biological and physiological needs. Safety needs. Love and belongingness needs. Esteem needs. Cognitive needs. Aesthetic needs. Self -actualisation and lastly, transcendence needs.
Describe Biological and physiological needs.
this step focuses on our basic survival needs- eg. air, shelter, food, water, sex
Describe Safety needs.
A society provided with appropriate laws and justice systems. Stable society.
Describe Love and belongingness needs
Social needs. Family, friends, romantic relationships as well as work relationships.
Describe esteem needs.
Achievements, skills, status and independence. These can be met differently with different people
Describe cognitive needs.
Our need for information, knowledge and meaning.
Describe aesthetic needs.
Our need and appreciation of beauty
Describe self-actualisation needs
Reaching our full personal potential and becoming fulfilled.
Describe Transcendence needs
Our ability to help others also achieve self-actualisation. Maslow’s last amendment to his model.
Strengths of Maslow’s theory
1) A basic advantage of Maslow’s need theory is how well it serves to interpret human behaviour and motivation. It has relevance in modern-day applications, especially in the world of business. Application to real life
2) It is relevant in almost all fields of life because whether you are home or at office you start with the basic need. Gives organisations in today’s world as well a notion of all things they must provide for their workers.
Weaknesses of Maslow’s theory
1) Not everyone is the same. For some individuals, social affection and respect are more important than safety needs and so on. Cannot be generalized. Does not take into account cultural differences.
2) Cannot be measured easily. Difficult to test the notion of self-actualisation
What is Alderfer’s ERG theory (1972)
A revision of Maslow’s theory. Simplifies 8 categories into 3 - ERG. Not in a hierarchical approach. People can be motivated by needs from more than one level at the same time.
What is ERG
E- Existence needs
R- Relatedness needs
G- Growth needs
What is existence needs
Basic survival needs = Physiological and safety needs
What is relatedness needs
Social and esteem needs = social needs. Self-esteem needs can be divided into- External and internal. Relatedness satisfies external needs
what is growth needs
Needs related to self-development and advancement. Refers to the internal element of our self-esteem needs. = self-actualisation and self-esteem
Conclusion
Ideally, paid work will provide for all these needs. Does not go in any sequence. With all of these fulfilled, greatest motivation. The relative importance of these needs may change throughout our lives.
Strengths
1) Since it is difficult to support that needs are organised in a hierarchical manner, the no-sequence manner of this theory is a strength.
2) Takes into account the changing importance of needs and cultural differences.
Weaknesses
1) The ERG theory does not offer clear cut guidelines. This theory says that an individual can satisfy any of the three needs first. But which is the most important (and finding this out would help organisations greatly) is difficult.
What is the McClelland Theory of achievement motivation (1965)
The theory proposes that there are different needs that motivate people and that these differences are measurable.
What are the 3 types of needs?
Need for achievement (N-ACH) Need for affiliation and need for power
Describe the need for achievement
the need to get things done, be a success. People like these are motivated by challenges and appraisals.
