Section 10-1: Maslows Hierarchy of Motivation?

-Courtesy of www.matternow.com-

Do any of you remember the Hierarchy of needs proposed by Abraham Maslow? For me it was one of the most interesting topics that we studied this semester and I wholeheartedly agree with Maslows views on the subject. When it comes to the subject of motivation and emotion I couldn't help but notice the parallels between the hierarchy of needs and the drivers behind motivation. The most basic of which is hunger driven motivation which would tie into the need for nourishment as a basic survival need at the base of maslows hierarchy. This should make it the largest driver of human motivation the hunger drive. However, there is also the Sexual motivation driver, which is irrefutably a stronger motivational driver than the hunger driver. In some models of the hierarchy of needs intercourse falls into the physiological needs section at the base of the tower, as opposed to the higher placed 'love and belongingness' section. If we base the hierarchy of needs explicitly off of motivational drivers this makes logical sense. Studies have shown a rat that presses a lever to receive food will stop pressing the lever once they have eaten their fill, however, a rat that presses an orgasm inducing lever will continually press said lever until death. This shows us that sexual desires are a more primal driver than even the desire for nourishment. This is likely because they have existed on a biological level longer than the need for chemical nourishment has. even microorganisms that consume energy on a cellular rather than chemical level follow the need to reproduce.

-Courtesy of betweenthemiles.blogspot.com-

The two other motivational drivers that exist are Emotional drivers, and the need for achievement. If we follow the hierarchy of needs emotion comes next as people will feel the need for acceptance and belonging prior to self-actualization. Those who have achieved all prior levels of need though I would guess have a higher need for achievement than their peers and thus are more likely to pursue achievements than individuals who do not feel they have adequately met the prior levels of the hierarchy.