Maslow’s Hierarchy

of Human Needs
Need: a lack of something
required or desired.

*Needs motivate us to act!

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow defined a Hierarchy of Human Needs that stated

the lower needs must be met before an individual can
strive to meet the higher needs.

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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

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PHYSIOLOGICAL - necessary for life; unmet,
these needs lead to death
> Food
> Water
> Oxygen
> Sleep
> Protection from extreme
temperatures
> Elimination
> Sensory needs
> Motor needs

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SAFETY/SECURITY

> The need to be free from

anxiety and fear
> The need to be secure in the
environment
> The need for order and routine

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LOVE AND AFFECTION
> Social acceptance, friendship, to
be loved
> Need to belong, to relate to
others
> Sexuality
• a person’s feelings/attitude
toward their masculine/feminine
nature
• the ability to give and receive
love and affection
• -reproductive capabilities

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ESTEEM
> Feeling important and
worthwhile – includes respect,
approval, appreciation
> We engage in activities that
bring achievement, success, and
recognition
> We gain self-confidence and
begin to direct our actions
toward becoming what we
WANT to be

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SELF-ACTUALIZATION

> Self-realization; obtaining our

full potential; becoming
confident, eager to express our
beliefs, and willing to reach out
to others to help them

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To meet our human needs we usually learn
what works by

> Trial-and-error
> Direct methods v. Indirect
methods
> Stress reactions
> Challenges and responsibilities

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INDIRECT METHODS
> Suppression
> Projection
> Denial
> Rationalization
> Compensation

*Note: These are unhealthy when used too often, but sometimes allow
us to cope!

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When defense mechanisms are inadequate,
stress reactions develop:
> Chronic complaining and demanding behavior
> Agitation with manipulative behavior
> Restlessness
> Sleeplessness
> Depression-be alert for potential suicide
> Withdrawal

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To meet the needs of others…

…personalized healthcare focuses on the patient

and meeting their needs and expectations

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Challenges
> Meet the patient’s needs to the best of your ability
> Set standards of excellence for yourself
> Sometimes only you will know (I.e., sterile field)
> Let your conscience be your guide
> Anything less than 100% is not acceptable

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Responsibilities
> Take advantage of the opportunity to learn, develop basic skills, see
the purpose of each assignment
> Set your standards for your performance
> Establish study habits that work best for you
> Relate learning to past experience
> Measure each achievement in terms of progress toward your career
goal
> Be honest with yourself and take responsibility for your own actions

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