Chapter 9 Maslow: Holistic-Dynamic Theory 267stifled, or have been denied information, become pathological, a pathology that
takes the form of skepticism, disillusionment, and cynicism.
Neurotic Needs
The satisfaction of conative, aesthetic, and cognitive needs is basic to one’s phys-
ical and psychological health, and their frustration leads to some level of illness.
However, neurotic needs lead only to stagnation and pathology (Maslow, 1970).
By definition, neurotic needs are nonproductive. They perpetuate an unhealthy
style of life and have no value in the striving for self-actualization. Neurotic needs
are usually reactive; that is, they serve as compensation for unsatisfied basic needs.
For example, a person who does not satisfy safety needs may develop a strong desire
to hoard money or property. The hoarding drive is a neurotic need that leads to
pathology whether or not it is satisfied. Similarly, a neurotic person may be able to
establish a close relationship with another person, but that relationship may be a
neurotic, symbiotic one that leads to a pathological relationship rather than genuine
love. Maslow (1970) presented yet another example of a neurotic need. A person
strongly motivated by power can acquire nearly unlimited power, but that does not
make the person less neurotic or less demanding of additional power. “It makes little
difference for ultimate health whether a neurotic need be gratified or frustrated”
(Maslow, 1970, p. 274).
General Discussion of Needs
Maslow (1970) estimated that the hypothetical average person has his or her needs
satisfied to approximately these levels: physiological, 85%; safety, 70%; love and
belongingness, 50%; esteem, 40%; and self-actualization, 10%. The more a lower
level need is satisfied, the greater the emergence of the next level need. For exam-
ple, if love needs are only 10% satisfied, then esteem needs may not be active at
all. But if love needs are 25% satisfied, then esteem may emerge 5% as a need. If
love is 75% satisfied, then esteem may emerge 50%, and so on. Needs, therefore,
emerge gradually, and a person may be simultaneously motivated by needs from
two or more levels. For example, a self-actualizing person may be the honorary
guest at a dinner given by close friends in a peaceful restaurant. The act of eating
gratifies a physiological need; but at the same time, the guest of honor may be
satisfying safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization needs.
Reversed Order of Needs
Even though needs are generally satisfied in the hierarchical order shown in
Figure 9.1, occasionally they are reversed. For some people, the drive for creativ-
ity (a self-actualization need) may take precedence over safety and physiological
needs. An enthusiastic artist may risk safety and health to complete an important
work. For years, the late sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski endangered his health and
abandoned companionship to work on carving a mountain in the Black Hills into
a monument to Chief Crazy Horse.
Reversals, however, are usually more apparent than real, and some seemingly
obvious deviations in the order of needs are not variations at all. If we understood