Pyramid of Needs

We’ve talked about Maslow’s hierarchy of needs before. It’s a theory that in order to actualise our selves, or become fully-alive human beings, we need to satisfy several levels of needs.

So there’s an online cartoon that I read regularly, and a few months ago they posted this:

www.threepanelsoul.com/comic/needs


And then again recently they posted this:

www.threepanelsoul.com/comic/progress-continues-apace

I think there must be an interesting story here, but I kind of just want to talk with you about whether you agree with what the artist seems to be saying here.

Some links explaining Maslow’s hierarchy of needs:
simpler explanation:
www.learning-theories.com/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs
more detail:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

This talks about an expanded version of the theory:
www.simplypsychology.org/maslow
1. Biological and Physiological needs - air, food, drink, shelter, warmth, sex, sleep, etc.
2. Safety needs - protection from elements, security, order, law, stability, etc.
3. Love and belongingness needs - friendship, intimacy, trust and acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Affiliating, being part of a group (family, friends, work).
4. Esteem needs - self-esteem, achievement, mastery, independence, status, dominance, prestige, managerial responsibility, etc.
5. Cognitive needs - knowledge and understanding, curiosity, exploration, need for meaning and predictability.
6. Aesthetic needs - appreciation and search for beauty, balance, form, etc.
7. Self-Actualization needs - realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth and peak experiences.
8. Transcendence needs - helping others to achieve self actualisation.