Another Look at Maslow's Motivational Hierarchy

Abstract

Maslow's (1954) original work with a motivational hierarchy suggests that for any given organism motives exist according to an order or rank. Maslow proposed a five-level motivational ' hierarchy : the physiological aspects, followed by safety needs, love and belonging, self-esteem, and self-actualization. Individuals have their own motivational scares which determine the person's progress in the sequential hierarchy. If each motive is satisfied, the individual is said to be satisfied, but this is rarely a prolonged state. Initially, Maslow was concerned with a strict order in the satisfaction of man's needs for 'food, security, having friends, achieving status, and realizing one's potential. While the needs may be universal, present-day application indicates that levels in the hierarchy may be ignored to achieve what the individual considers a more important goal. Subjects (N = 100) between the ages 17 and 21 yr. were selected from psychology classes to participate in a study of values of youth. Fifry-two were women and 48 were men. All were from middle-class homes. The questionnaires were completed in class; students were required to check reasons for the possible use of marijuana, hard drugs, alcohol, engaging in rebellious am, and premarital sex. Reasons included curiosiry, peer pressure, rebellion against parents, and personal preference. Subjects could also indicate whether the risk of danger (Maslow's safery), peer pressure (Maslow's need to belong), or fear of detection (Maslow's selfesteem) would be involved in making their decision. Forty percent of the women and 50% of the men indicated that peer pressure was the reason for their initial use of marijuana. Interestingly, 70% of the women gave the same reason for the use of alcohol as did 52% of the men. Fewer than 10% of the women and 4% of the men indicated fear of physiological danger. Sixteen percent of the women and 20% of the men indicated that curiosity was a reason for the possible experimentation with drugs, but fear of side effects was relatively strong. The fear of parental detection of premarital sex was higher for women (22%) than men (4%). but one-fourth of the females and one-third of the males considered sex to be part of dating. It is hoped that these indications of a new 'morality' can be studied in future research.