Classification of Human Needs

Abraham H. Maslow, an American psychologist has developed a classification of human needs which is known as ‘Hierarchy of Needs’ According to Maslow, human needs can be classified into five categories and can be arranged in order of their importance or priority. This arrangement of human needs according to their priority is called hierarchy of needs’. Figure given below shows the hierarchy of needs.

1. Physiological Needs: These include the need for air, water, food, sleep etc. These are the most basic needs and must be satisfied before all other needs. Satisfaction of such needs is essential for maintaining human life. Therefore, physiological needs are also known as survival needs. These needs are finite and such needs are required to be satisfied only in a limited way.

2. Safety or Security Needs: These include physical safety against danger (extreme weather, fire, accident, wild animals, dacoity, etc.) and economic security against old age, sickness, etc. Therefore, a person wants shelter, clothing, life insurance, pension, etc. These provide freedom from fear or threat. An employer can satisfy safety needs of his employees by offering job security, pension, gratuity, group insurance, housing, etc.

3. Social or Affiliation Needs: Man is social in nature. He needs love, affection, a sense of belonging, association, friendship, with others. Therefore, an individual creates a family, relatives and friends, clubs, etc. Organisations can satisfy these needs by encouraging team building and providing opportunity for friendship on the job.

4. Ego or Esteem Needs: These include self-esteem and esteem of others. Self-esteem means self-confidence, self-respect, etc. Esteem of others means power, prestige, status, independence, achievement, recognition and respect from others.

5. Self-actualisation Needs: This implies the desire to become what one is capable of becoming Self-actualisation needs refer to need to grow and self fulfilment. These needs are psychological and infinite because there is no limit to progress Maslow’s theory is based on the following assumptions:

Human behaviour is based on needs. Satisfaction of these needs influences behaviour Human needs form an hierarchy starting from basic needs to higher level needs. A satisfied need ceases to be a motivator.

(v) When the lower need is satisfied, a person moves to the next higher level need.

• Concept of Authority / source of authority in management 

• Distinguish between authority, responsibility and accountability

• Decentralisation of authority / Distinguish between delegation and decentralisation