MASLOW'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS REFUTED
03 July 2008
Abraham Maslow developed a hierarchy of needs that can be depicted as a pyramid with five levels. Basic physiological needs are on the four lower levels and psychological needs are on the top level. Deficiencies are met first, where after the drive to grow focus the attention on higher needs. In order to self-actualize (to optimize our potential to experience joy, happiness and true vibrancy), the lower needs must be met first.
Research done in a shack settlement near Durban, however, presents a definition of wellbeing that contradicts this model. (1)
Residents in this poorest of communities, defined wellbeing as a situation where "soldiers do not favour any side, children are well looked after, there is stability, all-embracing peace happiness, love, equality, religious unity, sympathy and empathy, no apartheid, no different racial groups in church, no violence and only kindness".
They did not mention their unmet physiological needs or their extreme poverty. On an objective assessment of their needs using Maslow's hierarchy, we would probably have focused solely on their unmet physiological needs.
In formulating his theory, Maslow concentrated on exceptionally highly functioning individuals, writing that "the study of crippled, stunted, immature, and unhealthy specimens can yield only a cripple psychology and a cripple philosophy". He assumed that they were able to focus on meeting more advanced needs because their basic physiological needs have been met.
The needs that the residents of the informal settlement near Durban describe are very advanced. It seems that human beings and their needs are complex, the different types of needs overlap and can not as easily be categorised into different levels as Maslow assumed.
(1) Sarot, M & Brümmer, V (Editors) 1996. Happiness, wellbeing and the meaning of life : a dialogue of social science and religion. Kampen : Kok Pharos.
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