Maslow Theory of Motivation

A Paradigm Shift

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Are You Giving Your People "Peak Experiences"?

The Maslow Theory of Motivation also known as "Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs" model was developed between 1943-1954, and first widely published in Motivation and Personality in 1954.

The original model comprised five needs. However more levels were added in a later book: "Toward a Psychology of Being"[1968]. The original 5 level version remains the most widely known and is the one we will consider briefly.

Starting from the premise that each human being is motivated by needs that are inborn, presumably as a result of tens of thousands of years of evolution, the Maslow theory of motivation suggests a hierarchy of needs:

Physiological needs
These are the very basic needs such as air, water, food, sleep, sex, etc. When these are not satisfied we may feel sickness, irritation, pain, discomfort, etc. These feelings motivate us to alleviate them as soon as possible to establish homeostasis. Once they are alleviated, we may think about other things.
Safety needs
These have to do with establishing stability and consistency in a chaotic world. These needs are mostly psychological in nature. We need the security of a home and family. However, if a family is dysfunction, i.e., an abused child - cannot move to the next level as she is continuously fearful for her safety. Love and a sense of belonging are postponed until she feel safe.
Love and needs of belonging
Humans have [in varying degrees of intensity] a strong desire to affiliate by joining groups such as societies, clubs, professional associations, churches and religious groups etc. There is a universal need to feel love and acceptance by others.
Self-Esteem needs
There are essentially two types of esteem needs:self-esteem resulting from competence or mastery of a task; and the esteem and good opinion of other people.
The need for self-actualisation
Maslow theory of motivation proposes that people who have all their "lower order" needs met progress towards the fulfilment their potential. Typically this can include the pursuit of knowledge, peace, esthetic experiences, self-fulfillment, oneness with God, nirvana, enlightenment etc. So ultimately this is all to do with the desire for self transcendence.

A Paradigm Shift Towards Successful Change Management

The Maslow theory of motivation brought a new face to the study of human behaviour. Maslow was inspired by greatness in the minds of others, and his own special contribution to the field of motivational psychology led to the creation of the concept of Humanistic Psychology.

Most psychologists prior to Maslow had focused on the mentally ill and the abnormal. In complete contrast the Maslow theory of motivation investigated and attempted to define positive mental health.

In so doing, he instigated a paradigm shift via Humanistic Psychology – predicated on the belief that humans are not simply blindly reacting to situations, but trying to accomplish something greater.

This new approach represented in the Maslow theory of motivation became the source of many new and different therapies, all grounded in the belief that people possess the inner resources for growth and healing and that the point of therapy is to help remove obstacles to individuals' achieving them.

It also forms the basis of much current understanding of what constitutes good leadership and forms a major foundation of prevailing models and theories of successful change management.

Interesting, latest advances in neurology seem to be confirming the physiological "hard wiring" of the human brain to seek self transcendence as well as seeking survival.

The Special Ones

The views expressed in the Maslow theory of motivation, and other contributions to motivation theory from Maslow throughout his career stemmed:

In part from his family background
Partly in response to his questioning of the way previous generations of psychologists had come to their conclusions, and
To a large extent from his studies of historical figures, including Albert Einstein, and also people he knew well and greatly admired and who epitomised his concept of a "self actualised" person.

So for example, Maslow used Einstein's writings and accomplishments to exemplify the characteristics of the self actualised person. What followed from these studies was the realisation that all of these “special” people had similar personality traits:

They tend to focus on problems outside themselves
They have a clear sense of what is true and what is phony
They are spontaneous and creative
They are not bound too strictly by social conventions

Another interesting common feature of these "special ones" is that they had regular and frequent "peak experiences"...

Peak Experiences

Beyond the routine of needs fulfillment, the Maslow theory of motivation encompasses the idea of moments of extraordinary experience, that he defined in his 1964 book "Religions, Values, and Peak Experiences"as Peak Experiences.

Peak experiences are described in the Maslow theory of motivation as especially joyous and exciting moments in life, involving sudden feelings of intense happiness and well-being, wonder and awe, and possibly also involving an awareness of transcendental unity or knowledge of higher truth.

They usually come on suddenly and are often inspired by deep meditation, intense feelings of love, exposure to great art or music, or the overwhelming beauty of nature.

Maslow described how the peak experience tends to be uplifting and ego-transcending; release creative energies; affirms the meaning and value of existence; give a sense of purpose to the individual; give a feeling of integration; leave a permanent mark on the individual, evidently changing them for the better.

When peak experiences are especially powerful, the sense of self dissolves into an awareness of a greater unity.

Were it not for our awareness of Maslow's strong and traditional Jewish background this could be the language of a zen master!

Here is an interesting comparison of Maslow's hierarchy of needs with Herzberg's Hygiene factors:

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The Value Of Maslow's Theory of Motivation To Change Management

The most fundamental value of this theory is to emphasise and remind those of us involved in leading and managing change of the complexity and multi-facted nature of human needs and motivational drives.

Closely aligned to that observation is the difficult realisation that people have transcendent needs and aspirations as well as the more prosaic needs of survival and "pay and rations".

The challenge here is to expand our understanding of what is involved in building the necessary win-wins with those upon we depend to deliver a successful change initiative.