Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-

tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
From the bottom of the hierarchy upwards, the needs are: physiological (food and
clothing), safety (job security), love and belonging needs (friendship), esteem, and
self-actualization.
Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to
needs higher up.
It is true that not all people achieve or let us say aim to achieve self actualization.
Abraham Maslow, himself was of the opinion that self actualization is the point that is
seldom reached- at which people have satisfied the lower needs and achieved their full
human potential.
His work was based on his studies of Americans. Cross cultural research suggest that
the order of the needs on the Heirarchy does not hold true for other cultures. In
countries like Greece and Japan, more value is given to security needs ( job security)
than to job satisfaction. In Sweden and Norway, social needs are found to be given
more importance than self actualization needs. This is one of the flaws of the
Maslow's Heirarchy of Needs. People are different and thus, it is subjective which
needs they tend to prioritize. Maslow developed his his theory based on his
observations of people rather than any empirically collected data or research.
Although many people report that while they were starving, they could think of
nothing but food, but some real life examples show that it is possible to achieve self
actualization without fulfilling the lower needs. For example, artists and scientists
throughout history have been known to deny their physical needs while producing
great works( a self actualization need).
Happiness is that feeling that comes over you when you know life is good and you
can't help but smile. It's the opposite of sadness.
Happiness is a sense of well-being, joy, or contentment. When people are successful,
or safe, or lucky, they feel happiness. The "pursuit of happiness" is something this
country is based on, and different people feel happiness for different reasons.
Whenever doing something causes happiness, people usually want to do more of it.
No one ever complained about feeling too much happiness.Happiness and Personal
development is the most important part we want for those we love, including
ourselves. We always want to be happily developed and have those around us be
happy in whatever endeavour we take on. We need it in our lives for many more
reasons than just feeling good occasionally.
This is a lifelong process. It is a way for people to assess their skills and qualities,
consider their aims in life and set goals to realize and maximize their potential. There
is increasing evidence from psychology and neuroscience to suggest that periods of
happiness are linked to personal growth, health and development. When we are happy
it seems we are more likely to be receptive to outside stimuli than when we are sad or
distressed. Happiness also makes us more disposed to engage in a creative endeavour,
which is itself another source of fulfilment.