Physiological needs

Physiological needs are indispensable needs for humans, which, if not met, make it almost impossible to move to the next level. What does this include?

• Breathing
• Nutrition (Eating and drinking) 
• Sleep
• Metabolic processes
• Sexuality

Security needs

If the needs of the previous level are met, the next critical step is a sense of security. Whereas in the old days this meant concrete physical security, in the modern age the focus is more on material security. It therefore includes: 

• Personal safety, health protection
• Financial, material security 
• State-level social, legal, etc. safety net (protects you from fraudsters, criminals or if you are sick)

Social needs

This level is about a sense of belonging. If the conditions are not met, sooner or later the individual becomes lonely, anxious or even depressed. This includes: 

• Family
• Friends
• Wider community
• Need for intimacy

Need for recognition

At the heart of this level is the recognition of the individual by his or her environment, so that he or she can feel valued. Maslow divided the needs here into two parts:

• At a lower level, we seek the recognition of others for fame, status, prestige
• And at a higher level, self-esteem, self-confidence, independence

The need for recognition is of paramount importance in the development of children and adolescents. If an individual receives the attention and recognition they need during this period, they will develop a healthier self-esteem, which will prevent many of the problems they will face in adulthood.

Cognitive need

Cognitive need is the desire and motivation to learn. The urge to continuously acquire information and learn. The individual has a need:

• To better understand the world
• Understand the everyday stimuli in your own life
• To acquire knowledge on topics of interest to them
• Learn the truth behind the surface

Aesthetic need

A desire for beauty, orderliness of the environment, purity and harmony around the individual. 

Need for self-fulfilment

This need was originally at the top of Maslow's pyramid. It means that people have the need to push themselves to the maximum, to constantly push their limits and to realise their dreams and ideas. This need can take almost infinite forms, from artistic pursuits to making the world a better place, or scientific work. 

Transcendental or spiritual need

In his later years, Maslow criticised his idea of self-realisation and introduced a new dimension to the theory. At the transcendental or spiritual level of need, man transcends himself and reaches the highest level of human consciousness. This includes, for example, altruism and spirituality.

Deficit-based and growth-based needs

Needs at the first 4 levels of the hierarchy of needs can be called deficit-based, while needs at higher levels can be called growth-based. What does this mean? 

• Deficit-based needs are basic, instinctive needs that, when met, reduce internal tension. Unmet needs increase motivation. 
• Growth-based needs usually come after deficit-based needs have been met, and interestingly, meeting them also increases motivation. The ultimate goal is to get more and better out of ourselves

Critiques of Maslow's needs pyramid

Interestingly, Maslow's hierarchy of needs has never been proven by research, which is one of the bases of the model's criticisms. Another argument of the critics is that there are many cases that contradict the hierarchy, such as the ascetic lifestyle of monks or even hunger strikes. These cases show that some elements of the hierarchy do not necessarily build on each other, so the order in which they are fulfilled can change. 

A further criticism is that the hierarchy of needs leaves out cultural and age-specific aspects, since in some cultures, for example, sexuality is perceived at a completely different level, or other urges become more important as people get older. 

Nevertheless, we believe that the Maslow pyramid, when properly applied and taking into account the specific characteristics of a given society and era, can be a very useful tool in many fields, including management science and project management.