100 PSYCHOLOGY
According to Maslow, human needs can be ranked in terms of “lower needs” and
“higher needs.”
Imagine a pyramid in six layers. The needs ascend from the lower needs at the
base of the pyramid to the higher needs at the apex. The first layer of the pyramid
represents physiological needs.These are the need for food, water, and so forth.
These are associated with the biological drives, already discussed toward the
beginning of the chapter.
The second layer of the pyramid represents safety needs.These include the
need for shelter, protection from injury, and so forth. Safety needs are reflected in
such individual behaviors as wearing a seat belt and such social behaviors as organ-
izing a police force.(a) The first layer of a pyramid structured according to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs repre-
sents needs.(b) The second layer of the pyramid represents needs.Answers: (a) physiological; (b) safety.The third layer of the pyramid represents love and belongingness needs.
These include the need for affection, the need to love, and the need to be loved.
Love and belongingness needs are reflected in such behaviors as joining a club,
forming friendships, getting married, and having children. The importance of
love and belongingness needs is evident in many popular songs. They frequently
focus on the elation one feels when a love relationship is going well or the despair
one feels when such a relationship is going badly.
The fourth layer of the pyramid represents esteem needs.These include
the need to be esteemed by others and self-esteem. The need to be esteemed by
others is reflected in behaviors such as seeking a higher rank within an organi-
zation or working for a prestigious award or degree. Self-esteemis the sense of
value that one feels about oneself. It is a kind of inner psychological ranking.
Low self-esteem is associated with depression and a pessimistic outlook on life.
High self-esteem is associated with a positive mood and an optimistic outlook
on life.
The fifth layer of the pyramid represents cognitive needs.Cognitive needs
include the need for mental stimulation, the need to use one’s intelligence, and
the need to exercise creative abilities. Cognitive needs are reflected in such behav-
iors as reading a book, writing a story, working a crossword puzzle, taking a class,
solving a problem, and so forth.(a) The third layer of the Maslow pyramid represents and needs.(b) The fourth layer of the pyramid represents needs.