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NEED SATISFACTION
In 1943 a psychologist by the name of Maslow put forward his now famous “Hierarchy of Needs”. The main thrust of this theory is that human beings strive to satisfy their needs and that these can be grouped into 5 broad levels. They are:
SELF ACTUALISATION
Truth / Spirituality / Justice / Wisdom / Meaning
ESTEEM NEEDS
Self respect / Achievement
Attention / Recognition / Reputation
SOCIAL NEEDS
Love / Relationships
Belonging / Community / Friendship
SAFETY NEEDS
Secure home / Medical support
Employment / Positive cash flow
PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
Air / Water Food / Sleep
In brief, Maslow proposes that humans will not rise from one level to the next until the needs of the current level have been satisfied. While observation and study shows that this is broadly true it is also often wrong. It implies that a loner or hermit can’t have self-respect or that no self-actualisation can take place unless you live in a nice house in a secure neighbourhood. The reality is that need satisfaction takes place simultaneously across the hierarchy but is limited by unresolved factors from previous levels. For example a philosopher may well be focused on truth and wisdom while starving. The point is that while this person may be able to do this for a period, it is unsustainable in the long-term. Ultimately the philosopher will grow too weak from lack of food to continue his efforts. |
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The unresolved aspect of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is why we have the desire to satisfy these needs at all.
Certainly the need for air, water, food and sleep are obvious as these limit the very survival of the individual. However, all of the other needs are less easily explained unless the Pain & Pleasure principle is applied. The single common factor is that any unfulfilled need creates either physical or psychological pain (discomfort) while satisfied needs provided pleasure (comfort).
Maslow’s contribution to the Pain Pleasure principle is that he suggests that certain unfulfilled needs are less painful than others and that the importance of various needs shifts as more and more needs are satisfied. For example, a person will feel little pain or (discomfort) regarding their reputation if they are currently dying of thirst in a desert. It is critical that the relationship between the factors is appreciated and that the overall Pain / Pleasure levels are seen together. |
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For example, a person may be harassed and disabled but still be very accepted and appreciated. When the negatives and positives are combined we may well find that the individual is collectively above their pain threshold. However, this collective result does not mitigate the pain component and the individual will still strive harder to remove the pain aspects than to increase the number pleasurable ones. As such an ugly person may choose to have plastic surgery that may not make them beautiful but merely average. However, because this pain component has been removed, the individual can now enjoy the fact that they are calm, entertained and in control to a greater degree.
This understanding of the human psyche is essential for any person wishing to be either a good strategist or tactician. In effect this is a list of the buttons the control the human condition. This just leaves us with the question of ethics. |
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