Basic Human Needs

Question 1

What does Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs imply about motivation?

Answer 1

Clients are motivated to meet certain needs in order. When one is fulfilled, they seek to fulfill the next.

Question 2

How is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs depicted?

Answer 2

As a pyramid with 5 stages representing levels of human needs.

Question 3

What are the two main categories of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs?

Answer 3

1. Basic (Deficiency) needs–Also known as D-Needs
2. Growth needs-Also known as Being needs or B-needs

Question 4

What are the basic (deficiency) needs (D-Needs) in Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Answer 4

Physiological needs
Safety needs
Social (Love/Belonging) Needs
Esteem needs

Question 5

What is the Growth (Being Need) in Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Answer 5

Self-Actualization- the desire to grow, develop, and reach one’s full potential.

Question 6

What is the difference between D-Needs and B-Needs?

Answer 6

D-Needs arise from deprivation (things we lack)
B-Needs arise from a desire to grow and realize potential

Question 7

What are the Deficiency needs?

Answer 7

Physiological
Safety
Social (Love/Belonging)
Esteem

Maslow called these needs “Deficiency needs” b/c he felt that these needs arise from deprivation.
The satisfaction of these needs helps to “avoid” unpleasant feelings or consequence.

Question 8

What are the growth needs?

Answer 8

Self-actualization

These needs fall on the highest level of Maslow’s pyramid. They come from a place of growth rather than from a place of “lacking.”

Question 9

What must a client do before moving on to higher-level growth needs in Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Answer 9

A client must first satisfy lower-level basic needs before progressing to higher-level growth needs.

Question 10

What happens after a client meets lower levels of needs Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Answer 10

After meeting the lower level needs, a client can work toward the highest level-Self actualization.

Question 11

Do most people reach self-actualization according to Maslow?

Answer 11

No, few people reach the highest level of self-actualization.

Question 12

Does every client have the capacity to move up Maslow’s Hierarchy toward self-actualization?

Answer 12

Yes, every client is capable and has the desire to progress toward self-actulization.

Question 13

What can disrupt a client’s progress up Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Answer 13

Progress is often disrupted by failure to meet lower-level needs.

Question 14

How can life experiences affect a client’s position in Maslow’s Hierarchy?

Answer 14

Life experiences, like divorce or loss of a job, may cause a client to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy.

Question 15

Physiological needs

Answer 15

These needs maintain the physical organisms. These are biological needs such as food, water, oxygen, and constant body temperature.
If a person is deprived of these needs, the person will die.

Question 16

Safety needs

Answer 16

There is a need to feel safe from harm, danger, or threat of destruction. Clients need regulatory and some predictability.

Question 17

Social needs (love/Belonging)

Answer 17

Friendship, intimacy, affection, and love are needed–From one’s work group, family, friends, or romantic relationships.

Question 18

Esteem needs

Answer 18

People need a stable, firmly based level of self-respect and respect from others.

Question 19

Self-actualization need

Answer 19

There is a need to be oneself, to act consistently with whom one is.
Self-actualization is a ongoing process.
Involves developing potential, becoming, and being what one is capable of being.
It makes possible true objectivity–dealing with the world as it is, rather than one needs it to be.
You are free to really do what you want to do.
There are moments when everything is right (peak experience); a glimmer of what it is like to be complete.
One is in a position to find one’s true calling (i.e., being an artist, writer, musician)
Only 1% of the population consistently operates at this level.

Question 20

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 20

Self-Actualization
Esteem Needs
Social (Love/Belonging) Needs
Safety Needs
Physiological needs

In the examination, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is often not explicitly asked about, but it can be applied when asked about the order of prioritizing problems or issues with a client.

A client with an acute medical problem should focus on getting a medical evaluation first; a victim of domestic violence should prioritize medical and safety issues; and a refugee must initially meet basic survival needs (shelter, food, income, clothing, etc.) before working on fulfilling higher level needs.