Survey Evaluation – Maslow’s Model

See previous blog post below for specific data.

For both the initial question and the revised question, the basic physical needs were either indicated by the data or accounted for in the details of the question. This would tell us that Maslow’s model is correct at the lowest level. However after that, there seems to be a departure.

Family and friends (Maslow’s third level) is the second highest response with shelter and job (Maslow’s second level) having fewer responses. If we are to follow Maslow’s model, one would expect shelter and economic security/job to be the second highest response. So what does this tell us?

After the basics of sustaining life, people need people. They need to feel they are a part of some social structure/community. It isn’t just being a member of some group. It is at a level of close association where they have a biological kinship or common relationship/interest to each other. It is based in a sense of value and worth to someone else. This directly represents level four, Esteem, in the model.

It would appear that people are simultaneously functioning on multiple levels. They may not have all they need regarding economic security or even food and shelter, but they need to belong to some social structure. At any given time, it is a function of what are their immediate priorities; and on the other hand through fellowship with others, where to obtain strength to deal with the situation or get a break from the challenges that surround them.

If we look back on natural disasters or war, many people lose their homes, belongings and jobs (economic security). For those people who survive the initial impact, their first priority becomes one of sustaining life and the basics. If there is no one else around, they will seek shelter while simultaneously trying to find other survivors with whom to connect. Even the homeless seek shelter whether it is a tent, bridge underpass or something as simple as a lean to. They will also seek out other people in order to be part of some social community.

One consideration to this general concept of belonging, is that most people will seek out like kinds of people. The old saying, “misery loves company” basically demonstrates if someone is feeling bad, he/she wants someone to share in the same level of bad feeling. To extend this idea both directions, people want to share their experience with someone else – good or bad.

It is about having a support structure of people who can empathize with the situation. There is a level of security knowing a person doesn’t have to “go it alone,” when things are tough and a desire to share in an experience when things are going well.

For those who need to compartmentalize things, Maslow’s hierarchy provides a functional model. However based on the responses and with some inference, human beings function simultaneously on multiple levels. Each of the levels is intertwined with a dominant level coming to the forefront at any given time depending on immediate priorities. It is not a case of completely achieving one level before moving to the next higher level.

Maslow’s Model – Preliminary Survey Results

An online unscientific survey was administered through www.InfuseSurvey.com gathering data on what are the three most important things to people in these challenging economic times. It was also stated that the data will be used for an article focusing on what business can do to meet people’s needs.

For the purposes of data evaluation, each person had three choices and three items were recorded. The data below represents each choice of the three being registered as an individual entry. (e.g., three people with three choices equal nine data entries.) Therefore, each person had three opportunities to identify at least one of the basic physical needs.

The question was initially asked without any indication of the basic needs to see if people followed Maslow’s model. With no additional information or direction, the following data was recorded:

18% Basics of Food/Water/Air
18% Family/Friends
8% Shelter
8% God/Church/Religion
8% Job
40% Other – One-off items combined

The question was then revised to include the following: “After food, water and air, I can’t live without…?” The following data is independent of the first data.

17% Family/Friends
12% God/Church/Religion
8% Shelter
6% Computer/Internet
57% Other – One-off items combined

Further evaluation will follow. I welcome your comments. Thank you for your interest and input.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Today’s Economic World

Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was an American psychologist born in Brooklyn. He is best known for his concept of hierarchal needs which he proposed in a paper in 1943. His theory was that lower level basic physical needs must be met before a person can attend to higher level needs. This is an interesting concept when you realize this theory was introduced during World War II when life got down to the basics for much of the world. (See diagram.[1]) (Love/Belonging is also noted as Social needs.)

There have been criticisms of his theory questioning whether a hierarchy exists. [2] There have been others who question the ability of true economic security which would then invalidate the Safety need of the model because people can achieve higher level needs without economic security being met.

”Our fear of losing our economic safety is what prevents us from taking risks and risk taking is what leads to economic growth which is the foundation for reaching the top of Maslow’s pyramid. Most of us don’t want wealth, just to have wealth. We want the secure feeling we think wealth will give us. Once we have that feeling we believe we will spend our time doing things we love rather than worrying about money. But you’ll never get there unless you risk your economic security. You have to act in spite of your fear. It is an undeniable fact that you cannot increase the size of the economic pie without risk. To create more wealth, you must trade in your current habits and actions for ones that will be more productive, but since you can’t predict the future you can’t be sure your plan will work… The need for economic security appears to be the only need in Maslow’s Hierarchy that is in direct conflict with reaching the next level. Fear of losing what we are prevents us from becoming what we want to be.”[3]

Economic security is a function of perception. We all have varying perceived levels of “what is enough” at any given time. Some people are happy and perceive economic security when they can pay their bills and live comfortably (comfort is also a perceived level based on one’s previous experiences).

Then there are those who might argue that economic security is never achieved because human nature drives some people to always want more and therefore they are never satisfied or content. This drive for more, more, more can have a blinding effect on what’s best for all concerned and therefore have a ripple effect on more people than just those in direct contact with the person.

Generally speaking, I believe most people would agree with Maslow’s theory. If you are worried about the basics of life, it is difficult to even consider higher needs and aspirations. Therefore, it becomes a function of limited time to achieve a prioritized level of needs. Priority can also be an individual perception based on physical needs and mental stability. If you are thirsty and dehydrated, water is imperative. If you are hungry, you need food. If the storm is coming or the bullets are flying, shelter is first.

When you throw mental attitude into the mix it can all become self-prophecy. If you have a negative attitude toward your situation the outcome will be minimal at best. A positive attitude, on the other hand, can give you hope, strength to meet the challenge and the drive to achieve a higher level.

So what happens once you are beyond the basics of life – food, water, air, shelter, health?


[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs#cite_ref-8
[2] Wahba, A; Bridgewell, L (1976). "Maslow reconsidered: A review of research on the need hierarchy theory". Organizational Behavior and Human Performance (15): 212–240.
[3] http://www.steve-olson.com/the-paradox-in-maslow%E2%80%99s-hierarchy-of-needs/

Survey - Three Things You Can't Live Without

This is an unscientific survey to determine what are the three most important things to people in these challenging economic times. The information you provide is annonymous and in no way associated to any specific individual. The data will be used for an article focusing on what business can do to meet people's needs. Thank you for your valuable time and input.






Powered by
InfuseAgency.com

Our World - Today

For starters, we are a society of niches, mobility, rapidly changing events, up-to-the-minute information and a highly competitive business environment. With all the technology available at our fingertips we can become overwhelmed on what and how to use it. Add in your spouse and family responsibilities, friends, expectations and your own dreams (if you are lucky) and we are pulled in a million directions feeling like there is way to much to do and not enough time to do it.

Now try to carve out your market share in an over-stimulated and A-D-D society, most of whom are dealing with the same things listed above, and you have a huge challenge - And that's in a good economy. When you consider our current economic recession, the challenges become even greater.

I admit there are a lot of people in the world smarter than me, but I believe common sense and the KISS (Keep it simple, stupid) method can go a long way in maximizing time and potential success. Google's search page is a great example. It serves a defined purpose and I believe most people would admit they are the best at doing it.

With this in mind, my goal for this blog is to discuss how we can target business success somewhere between excellent and perfect without killing ourselves while keeping it simple. I will make regular posts, ask questions and look forward to your comments. Together we will succeed. Thank you for your interest and support.