Republic of the Philippines Sulu State College

School of Graduate Studies

Ar. Murad B. Tuttuh, uap, durp Student Human Behavior in Organization Subject Miling Beralde, Ed.D Professor

Criticizing Maslow's Hierarchy Theory

Maslow's hierarchy of needs may not be able to zero in on the reality of human behavior. In reality some individual for instance the hermits in the person of Gautama Buddha and some prominent personalities in the category of saints has experienced the 'Self-Actualization' stage without experiencing the lower 3 stages. Except for the physiological needs which he need to exist to attain self-actualization. Contrary to Maslow's theory Safety, Social and Esteem Needs can be achieved not in that order or hierarchy. People usually 'socialized' to gain esteem personally and create a climate of 'safety and security' being socially attached to a group or the community where they belong. A esteemed person on the other hand finds himself important and inviting to the society thus attaining the needs in reverse. In their extensive review of research based on Maslow's theory, Wahba and Brudwell found little evidence for the ranking of needs Maslow described, or even for the existence of a definite hierarchy at all.[14] Chilean economist and philosopher Manfred Max-Neef has also argued fundamental human needs are non-hierarchical, and are ontologically universal and invariant in naturepart of the condition of being human; poverty, he argues, may result from any one of these needs being frustrated, denied or unfulfilled. Physiological Needs is basic to human existence because every person feels the need physically as his brain dictates without exerting effort in knowing them. This is one need that exempts no one and is basic for human survival as person and as a specie. Air, water and food are metabolic requirements for better health and subsistence that includes every living things. Animals seek shelters from the weather and environment, They are created furred for the climate or geography they are design to dwell unlike human that needs clothing and shelter.

Maslow's hierarchy has also been criticized as being individualistic because of the position and value of sex on the pyramid. Maslows pyramid puts sex on the bottom rung of physiological needs, along with breathing and food. It views sex from an individualistic and not collectivist perspective: i.e., as an individualistic physiological need that must be satisfied before one moves on to higher pursuits. This view of sex neglects the emotional, familial and evolutionary implications of sex within the community. Work is not a basic human need like nutrition and shelter, and neither is money (financial security). People can survive without work and money, but not without nutrition and shelter. Safety and security needs includes personal, financial, well-being and safety net against accident or illness and their adverse effects and impacts seem like almost what a wealthy person would ever wish for. With this in tact in your midst love and belonging will never be harder for you to experience. You can easily jump a notch over the love and belonging to develop self-esteem. On the other hand if don't have love and belonging you will not feel safe and secured emotionally. Maslow's doesn't have to fall in that hierarchy or order then. In the religious or specifically the Islamic point of view the hierarchy theory will not work in that order or in that manner. Religions put the supreme being first in the center of their lives. As to Islam is the way of live for the muslims. Safety and security or Esteem could be classified as material and worldly considerations. For purpose of psychological and academic discussions, Maslow's hierarchy theory helped in the discovery of other significant models. It invited more attention and ideas relevant to the study. This theory of Maslow is good as a 'fire starter' for a more profound generation of models as it evolves.