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  • Digg It - Maslow on My Mind: How Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Affects Business and Society

    Introduction: Maslow in the Big Apple

    Abraham Maslow was born in New York in 1908 to poor, uneducated Russian immigrants. He was the oldest of seven children, and therefore pushed by his parents to succeed in education where they had not. Originally studying to be a lawyer, he found it to be of little interest and eventually shifted over to psychology where he excelled. Maslow went on to receive his PhD in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, under the tutelage of Harry Harlow, famous for experimentation with rhesus monkeys and attachment behavior. After some time he returned to New York and began studying human sexuality. In addition to this study, during the years of teaching, he had the opportunity to meet many well-respected psychologists which further helped to shape his thoughts on the human needs. The final event which led Mas
    According to USFDA, a combination product is one composed of any combination of a drug and device; biological product and device; drug and biological product
    low to move in the humanistic direction came from the study of the development of the concept of "self-actualization". It was this study that led Maslow to develop his famous Hierarchy of Needs Theory.[1]

    Food for thought: What humans really need

    Until Maslow began to develop his theories, most studies on human nature focused on biology, achievement or power to explain the forces that drive us.

    Maslow postulated that there were five levels of basic needs that every human attempts to attain: Externally-Satisfied Needs (basic needs that every individual must satisfy before they can progress).

    1. Physiological - I'm hungry.

    2. Safety - I'm scared.

    Internally-Satisfied Needs (needs leading to enlightenment and understanding.

    3. Social - I'm lonely.

    4. Esteem - I can't.

    5. Self Actualization - I can!

    In the 1970s, Maslow further split
    ; or drug, device, and biological product and fixed dose combination would include two or more combinations of drug.

    Examples of combination products may in
    this hierarchy up into a total of eight levels:[2]

    1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily comforts, etc.;

    2) Safety/security: out of danger;

    3) Belonging and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; and

    4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval and recognition.

    5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, and explore; (new)

    6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and beauty; (new)

    7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment and realize one's potential; and

    8) Self-transcendence: to connect to something beyond the ego or to help others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential. (new) (This concept is relatively new and many authors such as Dr. Stephen covey express similar views.)[3]

    Another way to look at the Needs is to break it into "D-Needs" (Deficiency) and "B-Needs" (Being). Maslow believed that the deficiency needs, once satisfied cea
    lude drug-coated devices, drugs packaged with delivery devices in medical kits, and drugs and devices packaged separately but intended to be used together.

    sed to be a driving force for the individual, and they were then free to move upward to developing themselves.

    If we follow the traditional hierarchical form, we can see that each need forms the basis of the next need above it in the pyramid. Without these previous foundations, Maslow believed that it is impossible to move on to the next stage in the hierarchy.[4]

    In spite of the fact that it is very well-known and intrinsically comforting, there seems to be little hard evidence that the theory actually applies to people in general. Even Maslow admitted to this.[5]

    A learning experience

    Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs has had a dramatic influence on the field of education. Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to assist th
    here is enormous increase in the number of combination products entering the market in the recent years. Combination products have proven advantages but fixe
    em to progress.

    The most important goal in education is to learn, followed by developing an understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in life. In order to do this, the students need to be motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.

    In order to maximize this motivational desire, the educators need to attend to the needs of the student. By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, teachers can work toward realizing the basic needs that develop the foundation for higher learning, or actualization.

    Here is an example of how the school can meet the basic needs of the students:

    If the school understands that in order to function at school, students need the basic physiological needs satisfied before they can absorb their studies
    d dose combinations are still in the process of convincing regulatory authority on their advantages over the single ingredient formulations.

    Combination pro
    , they may consider providing lunches if a great deal of the students do not have their own. This would then propel the learners to the next level. By fostering a trusting, safe environment, with a classroom social network, and providing praise in the form of positive reinforcement from the teachers, the students will be able to focus on their learning.[6]

    A real example that has come up near the end of the 20th century with respect to this is the problems that have arisen due to the beliefs on "special education". During the 70s and 80s when where the traditional beliefs of segregating children with special needs (physical, intellectual, or emotional) was employed in the school system anomalies arose that called into question these beliefs. It was believed that by placing these students in separate learning atmospheres they would be able to learn at a pace
    ucts have become life saving products for the pharmaceutical companies who doesn’t have many innovative molecules in their product pipeline and have been inc
    more appropriate to their abilities, receive special attention and eventually progress through the system to receive the same education at the end of the program. As it turns out, this did not happen and the children’s learning was hampered.[7]

    Managing expectations

    Focusing on such human needs for successful motivation can very easily be ported over to the business world and applied in the field of Management. In fact, Maslow himself became fascinated with the field of management and attempted to explain the ability of good managers to motivate their employees using a solid understanding of the Hierarch of Needs. He even went so far as to regularly visit a high-tech company in California to study the management practices in the 1960s. Maslow discovered that managers who treat their subordinates with trust and respect created an environme
    easingly used in the product life cycle management. Even the companies having product patents are trying to extend their product life cycle through the combi
    nt that promoted a better work situation and improved productivity.

    Peter Drucker, the famous management guru has said that "Maslow's contribution to management was a big one. He pointed out hat you have to have different personnel policies for different people in different situations for them to be truly effective."[8]

    Why 'Y'?

    Theories X and Y, as developed by Douglas McGregor fit very nicely into the Needs Theory. If humans are intrinsically searching for something to help propel them to the next level, and have an internal desire to progress, and give back to society, as is believed by the followers of "Theory Y", then it goes to reason that the humanistic approach, as laid out by Maslow would assist these individuals in reaching their goals. If we believe that human nature responds best to a positive, nurturing atmosphere, then manag
    nation products and maximize the revenues. But the companies involved in this practice are overlooking that they are burdening the patients both economically
    ers that hold the following beliefs with respect to their staff should be able to raise them up higher in an attempt to improve productivity, and the individual goals of the worker:

    1. Employees view work as natural.

    2. Commitment to goals leads to self-direction and self-control.

    3. People will look for situations where they can receive accountability for their work.

    4. Decision-making on various levels can be spread among the company and not be the sole responsibility of upper management.[9]

    What's 'Humanism' got to do, got to do with it?

    Humanism is the "third force" in psychology, following the traditional studies of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Maslow, Carl Rogers, Rolly May and many others helped to advance this way of looking at the human condition.

    Humanism has a long history going back to the times of the Greek philosopher
    and physically. They need to rightly judge the benefits of the combination products and they have to even look at the risks involved when combining the produ
    s of the 6th century BC. It has come forward in time and developed into three broad categories: religious, secular, educational humanism. When people discuss "humanism" they generally mean the understanding of secular humanism. "Humanism is a broad category of active ethical philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities— particularly rationality, common history, experience, and belief. Humanism is a component of a variety of more specific philosophical systems, and is also incorporated into some religious schools of thought.

    Humanism entails a commitment to the search for truth and morality through human means in support of human interests. In focusing on the capacity for self-determination, humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as a depe
    ts. Some of the combination products were well accepted by physicians while others suffered. Companies involved in development of combination products are fi
    ndence on faith, the supernatural or divinely revealed texts. Humanists endorse universal morality based on the commonality of human nature, suggesting that solutions to our social and cultural problems cannot be parochial."[10]

    Humanists generally believe the following:[11]

    1. Humanism is a philosophy focused upon human means for comprehending reality. Humanists make no claims to possess or have access to supposed transcendent knowledge.

    2. Humanism is a philosophy of reason and science in the pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, when it comes to the question of the most valid means for acquiring knowledge of the world, Humanists reject arbitrary faith, authority, revelation, and altered states of consciousness.

    3. Humanism is a philosophy of imagination. Humanists recognize that intuitive feelings, hunches, speculation, flashes of inspiration, emotion, alt
    ding difficulty in defining their combination products and facing various challenges from selecting a combination to marketing it.

    Following aspects would a
    ered states of consciousness, and even religious experience, while not valid means to acquire knowledge, remain useful sources of ideas that can lead us to new ways of looking at the world. These ideas, after they have been assessed rationally for their usefulness, can then be put to work, often as alternate approaches for solving problems.

    4. Humanism is a philosophy for the here and now. Humanists regard human values as making sense only in the context of human life rather than in the promise of a supposed life after death.

    5. Humanism is a philosophy of compassion. Humanist ethics is solely concerned with meeting human needs and answering human problems--for both the individual and society--and devotes no attention to the satisfaction of the desires of supposed theological entities.

    6. Humanism is a realistic philosophy. Humanists recognize the existen
    dd to the challenges in developing combination products:

    Which markets to tap where the combination products can do fairly well?
    Which combination prod
    ce of moral dilemmas and the need for careful consideration of immediate and future consequences in moral decision making.

    7. Humanism is in tune with the science of today. Humanists therefore recognize that we live in a natural universe of great size and age that we evolved on this planet over a long period of time, that there is no compelling evidence for a separable "soul," and that human beings have certain built-in needs that effectively form the basis for any human-oriented value system.

    8. Humanism is in tune with today's enlightened social thought. Humanists are committed to civil liberties, human rights, church-state separation, the extension of participatory democracy not only in government but in the workplace and education, an expansion of global consciousness and exchange of products and ideas internationally, and an open-ended approach to sol
    cts are meaningful and rational?
    Which therapeutic categories to select?
    Which Combinations can address unmet needs of the patients?
    Do combin
    ving social problems, an approach that allows for the testing of new alternatives.

    9. Humanism is in tune with new technological developments. Humanists are willing to take part in emerging scientific and technological discoveries in order to exercise their moral influence on these revolutions as they come about, especially in the interest of protecting the environment.

    10. Humanism is, in sum, a philosophy for those in love with life. Humanists take responsibility for their own lives and relish the adventure of being part of new discoveries, seeking new knowledge, exploring new options. Instead of finding solace in prefabricated answers to the great questions of life, Humanists enjoy the open-endedness of a quest and the freedom of discovery that this entails.

    What is holding us back?

    If reaching the summit of the mountain of self-actua
    tions increase the patient compliance?
    What would be the developing cost?
    How to tackle the risks encountered during combination product developmen
    lization were easy, everyone would be enlightened, happy, hard-working, creative, and wealthy. We would all strive to take responsibility for our actions, and attempt to improve the situation around us by developing new and unique ideas. Unfortunately, this is not happening. What is holding us back from reaching our "fully functional, healthy personality"?

    I concur with Maslow that society and the education system are preventing individuals from reaching their full potential. Here is what Maslow has to say on the matter:

    "The state of being without a system of values is psychopathogenic, we are learning. The human being needs a framework of values, a philosophy of life, a religion or religion-surrogate to live by and understand by, in about the same sense he needs sunlight, calcium or love. This I have called the "cognitive need to understand." The value-
    t?

    As combination products don't fit into the traditional categories of drugs, medical devices, or biological products, the USFDA is in the process of devel
    illnesses which result from valuelessness are called variously anhedonia, anomie, apathy, amorality, hopelessness, cynicism, etc., and can become somatic illness as well. Historically, we are in a value interregnum in which all externally given value systems have proven failures (political, economic, religious, etc.) e.g., nothing is worth dying for. What man needs but doesn't have, he seeks for unceasingly, and he becomes dangerously ready to jump at any hope, good or bad. The cure for this disease is obvious. We need a validated, usable system of human values that we can believe in and devote ourselves to (be willing to die for), because they are true rather than because we are exhorted to "believe and have faith." Such an empirically based Weltanschauung seems now to be a real possibility, at least in theoretical outline." [12]

    If society is not instilli
    ping new procedures for reviewing their safety, efficacy and quality.

    Professional from academic institutions, pharmaceutical industries, health care indust
    ng the proper values into the youth of today, they are unable to develop a healthy outlook on life. This will hamper their journey to self-actualization. The education system is also currently not providing the proper morals, and positive, nurturing environment for students in order for them to grow. The schools need to focus on the areas of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs that are deficient in the student body, nurture them, and help their students to excel in ways that go deeper than just good grades.

    Summary: Change Your Socks, Change Your Attitude

    In the contemporary business world, a product-centered business style is no longer successful. Companies must now, more than ever before, develop a consumer-centric approach to business. The market is demassifying, and this means that individual needs must be met.

    In order for the education syst
    y and representatives from various regulatory agencies are working out to design the regulatory requirements for manufacture and sale of combination products
    em to produce individuals that can reach the peak of Maslow's pyramid, the schools should also take a similar approach and rather than focus on the product (education), they should instead focus on meeting the needs of the client (student). This will by no means be an easy task for it requires a tremendous amount of time and energy on the part of the supplier (schools), but the end results will produce a much more satisfied customer who is able to benefit from the interaction.

    Maslow lists 10 points that educators and teachers ought to consider in order to change their style so as to move toward the self-actualization of the individual. A summary of these points can be found below:

    1. Be true to yourself.
    2. Do not be bound by your culture.
    3. Discover your calling.
    4. Life is precious.
    5. Do not judge people.
    6. See to the satisfa
    .

    As there is an increasing trend of the combination products companies manufacturing such products should be able to tackle the problems involved in the de
    ction of basic needs.
    7. Take time to smell the roses.
    8. Learn self-control.
    9. Don't sweat the little things.
    10. Make the right decisions.

    These can and should be applied to all aspects of life, from your private time, through education and even in the work environment in order to work toward improving yourself and society.

    References

    1. C. George Boeree, ‘Abraham Maslow, 1908-1970’, http://www.ship.edu/~cgboeree/maslow.html

    2. Huitt, W. (2004). Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [date] from, http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/regsys/maslow.html.

    3. Stephen R. Covey, ‘The 8th Habit, From Effectiveness to Greatness’, FranklinCovey Co., Free Press, 2004.

    4. Wikipedia, 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslo
    elopment. They need to be wiser in analyzing the market trends and the regulatory requirements.

    Companies that provide selfless information through particip
    w%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

    5. Educational Psychology Interactive

    6. Jones, Michael. “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Can Lower Recidivism.” Corrections Today 66.4 (2004): 18–22.

    7. Norman Kunc, 'The Need to Belong: Rediscovering Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs', Axis Consultation and Training Ltd,, http://www.normemma.com/armaslow.htm, 1998.

    8. Excerpted from Maslow on Management, by Abraham H. Maslow, with Deborah Stephens and Gary Heil, 1998.

    9. Robbins, Stephen P., 'Essentials of organizational behavior, eighth edition', Pearson Education Inc., 2005, p50

    10. Wikipedia definition for 'humanism', http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanism

    11. Frederick Edwards, 'What is Humanism?', American Humanist Association, 1989, http://www.jcn.com/humanism.php4

    12. Maslow, A., & Lowery, R. (Ed.). (1998). 'Toward a psychology of being (3rd ed.)', New York: Wiley & Sons


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