Critical thinking on a short reflection on maslows hierarchy of needs

I particularly believed that Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs encompasses and explains the motivation needs of an individual. It explained that the motivation of people is based on the achievement of specific needs. The needs of an individual are hierarchical. The attainment of the basic needs, as defined by Maslow, progresses as a person goes on with his daily life. The satisfaction on each stage eventually reaches the highest need known as self-actualization. These needs range from physiological, safety, belongingness, esteem and self-actualization .
The deficiency or absence of basic needs of an individual motivate him to move forward and find a way to achieve it. The feeling of wanting to fulfill that need become stronger the more he experiences denial. Because of this, the learning that he needs in order for his desire to materialize what he wants improves and accumulates. A basic example is his need to eat and take in food to live. It is human nature to respond to whatever his body needs. Once fulfilled, this improvement leads him to struggle and seek security, safety, sense of belongingness, strengthen his confidence and reach what he wants to be. I believe every man has capacity to act on what he wants, and he has the desire to move up and conquer his desires. It is, however, natural thing that along the way and his struggle, he encounters challenges and issues that possibly delay his achievement. He can experience failures and problems; however, this contributes to his learning and if properly handled, will make a person strong and wise.
This theory may have received several criticisms from its detractors. Some says that the theory over simplifies the needs of human and his behavior. They also criticize that the first four stages may not become fulfilled for the person to self-actualize. There was also disapproval that the theory has cultural prejudices, and it only concentrates on healthy people and not taking into account those people with psychological order. This claim may somehow be true; however, I think Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs does not restrict its application regardless of gender, physical condition or skin color. There was nothing in the theory that actually cites that everything that connects to its various is restrictive .
In fact, this theory, if tweaked as needed, applies to different situations especially in education and employment. In education, students cannot study and learn without food and having warm clothes as part of their physiological needs. In terms of security and safety, there is always an assurance that they are safe in school and no threats that can harm them while studying History or Mathematics. In terms of sense of belongingness, the design of school activities should include interaction and social affiliation to gain friends and peers. In terms of gaining self-esteem, appraisals and recognition for their contributions are part of the school activities. In terms of self-actualization, the academe should design a program that encourages students to go back to their Alma Mater and share what they have learned in terms of their profession and chosen industry. From the workplace perspective, in terms of physiological needs, food and rest are basic needs of the employees. In terms of security, the assurance that they are safe from physical and sexual harassment give employees feeling of security. In terms of senses of belongingness, the company should assure its employees that they are part of the family, and there is a good relationship among members of the organization. In terms of self-esteem, recognitions and incentive for a job well done are part of company’s ways of honoring their employees. In terms of self-actualization, the company should give every employee chances of showcasing their potentials and capabilities to contribute and train other employees .

Works Cited

Jerome, N. (2013). Application of the Maslow’s hierarchy of need theory; impacts and implications on organizational culture, human resource and employee’s performance. International Journal of Business and Management Invention vol. 2 issue 3, 39-45.
Kaur, A. (2013). Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory: Applications and Criticisms. Global Journal of Management and Business Studies vol. 3 no. 10, 1061-1064.
Schunk, D. (2012). Chapter 8: Motivation. In D. Schunk, Learning Theories: An Education Perspective (pp. 351-354). Boston: Pearson.