Abraham Maslow\'s Hierarchy of Needs to Job

¶ … Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to Job Satisfaction

In pursuing a job career, people have many and various motivations and needs that they want answered before considering and taking a particular job. In fact, many research studies in the field of social sciences have been conducted in order to particularly identify the motivations and needs that people have and the explanations/reasons behind each decision an individual makes concerning the decision-making process of choosing a job. These studies led to the formulation of Need Theories of Motivation, wherein the psychologist Abraham Maslow had been one of its primary proponents.

Abraham Maslow's study on need theories was published in 1943, wherein he introduces to his readers the concept of Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation. In his Hierarchy of Needs, Maslow provides five (5) categories that best reflects an individual's needs that essentially becomes a motivation. At the lowest rank in Maslow's hierarchy is Physiological need, which he identifies as man's most basic need. Physiological needs include food, clothing, and shelter. On the second level is the Safety need, which is one's desire to be "safe from physiological and psychological harm." The third level includes Love, the need for affection and belonging, while the fourth level is Esteem, which the "need for reputation, prestige, and recognition." Lastly, Self-Actualization need is considered the highest form of need and motivation of an individual, wherein the "desire for self-fulfillment" is achieved by the individual.

It is evident that in analyzing the factors affecting job satisfaction, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs can be applied realistically. Take, as an example, a teacher's career. In an article by Karen Gundal entitled, "Leadership and Job Satisfaction," the author discusses how the need for self-actualization becomes the primary indicator that tells whether an individual is satisfied with his or her chosen profession or not. In discussing job satisfaction, Maslow's need theory provides a holistic view of how individuals try to assess their satisfaction in their jobs or career. For example, the financial rewards of working and having a job can answer the physiological and safety needs of an individual, while harmonious relationships with co-workers/colleagues can answer a person's need for belongingness. Good job performance is best described by the esteem need of an individual to be recognized.