Feist−Feist: Theories of
Personality, Seventh
EditionIII. Humanistic/Existential
Theories- Maslow: Holistic
Dynamic Theory
© The McGraw−Hill^293
Companies, 2009One criterion for separating instinctoid needs from noninstinctoid needs is the
level of pathology upon frustration. The thwarting of instinctoid needs produces
pathology, whereas the frustration of noninstinctoid needs does not. For example,
when people are denied sufficient love, they become sick and are blocked from
achieving psychological health. Likewise, when people are frustrated in satisfying
their physiological, safety, esteem, and self-actualization needs, they become sick.
Therefore, these needs are instinctoid. On the other hand, the need to comb one’s hair
or to speak one’s native tongue is learned, and the frustration of these needs does not
ordinarily produce illness. If one would become psychologically ill as the result of
not being able to comb one’s hair or to speak one’s native language, then the frus-
trated need is actually a basic instinctoid need, perhaps love and belongingness or
possibly esteem.
A second criterion for distinguishing between instinctoid and noninstinctoid
needs is that instinctoid needs are persistent and their satisfaction leads to psycho-
logical health. Noninstinctoid needs, in contrast, are usually temporary and their sat-
isfaction is not a prerequisite for health.
A third distinction is that instinctoid needs are species-specific. Therefore, an-
imal instincts cannot be used as a model for studying human motivation. Only hu-
mans can be motivated by esteem and self-actualization.
Fourth, though difficult to change, instinctoid needs can be molded, inhibited,
or altered by environmental influences. Because many instinctoid needs (e.g., love)
are weaker than cultural forces (e.g., aggression in the form of crime or war),
Maslow (1970) insisted that society should “protect the weak, subtle, and tender in-
stinctoid needs if they are not to be overwhelmed by the tougher more powerful cul-
ture” (p. 82). Stated another way, even though instinctoid needs are basic and un-
learned, they can be changed and even destroyed by the more powerful forces of
civilization. Hence, a healthy society should seek ways in which its members can re-
ceive satisfaction not only for physiological and safety needs but for love, esteem,
and self-actualization needs as well.
Comparison of Higher and Lower Needs
Important similarities and differences exist between higher level needs (love, esteem,
and self-actualization) and lower level needs (physiological and safety). Higher
needs are similar to lower ones in that they are instinctoid. Maslow (1970) insisted
that love, esteem, and self-actualization are just as biological as thirst, sex, and
hunger.
Differences between higher needs and lower ones are those of degree and
not of kind. First, higher level needs are later on the phylogenetic or evolutionary
scale. For instance, only humans (a relatively recent species) have the need for self-
actualization. Also, higher needs appear later during the course of individual devel-
opment; lower level needs must be cared for in infants and children before higher
level needs become operative.
Second, higher level needs produce more happiness and more peak experi-
ences, although satisfaction of lower level needs may produce a degree of pleasure.
Hedonistic pleasure, however, is usually temporary and not comparable to the qual-
ity of happiness produced by the satisfaction of higher needs. Also, the satisfaction
Chapter 10 Maslow: Holistic-Dynamic Theory 287