A research-based article
Maslow posited the theory that everyone strives to fulfill a five-tier model of human needs: Physiological needs, Safety, Love & belonging, Esteem, and Self-actualization. This is known as Maslow's hierarchy of needs–one of the most well-known theories of humanistic psychology.
So what exactly are the steps towards reaching our full potential? How can we get to the top? And is the current state of the world a catalyst or a boulder during the process of self-actualization?
Before we dive in, it’s important to note that there are two types of needs within the tiers: deficiency needs and growth needs.
In short: people strive to fulfill the bottom levels before attaining the ones on top. It is difficult for someone to self-actualize without first gaining self-confidence (Esteem level).
In full: deficiency needs stem from an actual deficit of attained needs. This deficit motivates individuals to fulfill these deficiencies. On the other hand, growth needs are rooted in people’s desire to grow with what they already have.
For example, if someone realizes that he/she has no friends, he/she will likely desire to make more. This actions results from a deficiency need.
However, if someone decides to identify their strengths and weaknesses and subsequently work on their weaker ones, this would be from a growth need. Nothing is deficient; the person merely desires to work on themselves.
Maslow’s theory is a simple yet multi-step reflection of how humans can reach their fullest potential. How we can get to the top, there's no formula. But here are some ways to get started on the right foot, especially with the world being in an unpredictable state.
1. PHYSIOLOGICAL NEEDS
This one is relatively straightforward: take care of yourself.
In order to ascend to the next level (although Maslow did mention it's not an "all-or-nothing" phenomenon), it's essential that you are able to maintain homeostasis. Having a consistent system of regulation within your body is the key to "feeling good", and hence, fulfilling your basic needs.
Because we live in an advanced society, it's generally not a question of survival, rather maintaining optimal levels of health.
According to the journal Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs by Bob Poston, who is part of the Association fo Surgical Technologists, he states that in Maslow's study, monkeys who were given water were significantly less aggressive than those who were deprived of water. In addition, when the monkey's physiological needs were completely fulfilled, their behavior became "more profound when it came to establishing social roles and dominance" (Poston, 348).
Hence, it is imperative that you keep aware of what your body is telling you on a daily basis. Even drinking a glass of water can help you function more optimally, be more happy, and interact with others better.
Additionally, having a healthy immune system and maintaining body regulation is even more important now with the pandemic.
Read more about improving your eating habits during COVID here.
Takeaway: Listen to your body. Maintaining your health–"feeling good"–allows you to function more optimally and improves social interaction.
2. SAFETY
A little more complicated than just an absence of danger.
Some argue that safety is woven into the love & belonging level where we seek to feel content in relationships.
In the journal Herzberg's Theory of Motivation and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs from the University of Massachusets Amherst, Joseph E. Gawel lists the idea of stability under the Safety tier. Thus, while achieving a sense of security is part of fulfilling this level, attaining stability in relationships is another. This way, you can move up to the Love & Belonging sector to further improve your relationships.
Especially during as anxiety-inducing time, where many are more alert than ever about their health, it may be challenging to feel the same sense of safety. Therefore, developing a strong support system is significant in easing these feelings of instability.
Takeaway: Aside from feeling secure in your environment, seek to build loyal relationships to develop a stronger sense of stability.
3. LOVE & BELONGING
David Lester, a psychologist at Stockton University, devised an Appendix to measure individuals' attainment of their basic needs. In the Love & belonging portion, it states "I feel somewhat socially isolated" (Lester, 1188), signifying that having relationships doesn't guarantee a fulfilled Love & belonging level. It's also about whether you connect with them.
In relation, social-isolation during COVID has had many implications for the role that connecting with others has on well-being. According to The Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 and Physical Distancing, physician Sandro Galea suggests that large-scale disasters are "almost always" accompanied with increased levels of mental disorders in communities (Galea). Furthermore, he states that "in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears likely that there will be substantial increases in anxiety and depression, substance use, loneliness, and domestic violence; and with schools closed, there is a very real possibility of an epidemic of child abuse".
This pandemic is not only creating issues outside–the economy, education, current affairs, etc.–but also inside the homes of many. Love & belonging is an important tier of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, and it seems that social-distancing is preventing some from fulfilling this level.
Takeaway:COVID is associated with increases in mental disorders and domestic abuse; the pandemic may thus hinder the ability of some people to fulfill this sector.
It may be helpful to not shut yourself off entirely from others–text, email, call, and FaceTime your loved ones to get support.
Helpful links: National Domestic Abuse Hotline, Crisis Test Line
4. ESTEEM
On the contrary, social-distancing may be beneficial for improving self-esteem.
While self-isolation may cause feelings of loneliness, it can also serve as a pathway towards self-improvement and self-love.
Though it may be hard to notice, we often compare ourselves to others when we are in social situations. In fact, according to psychologist Leon Festinger, he posits the Social Comparison Theory, which suggests that people are constantly determining their "own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others" (Social Comparison Theory). Furthermore, Psychology Today states that other studies have shown that "as much as 10 percent of our thoughts involve comparisons of some kind".
As such, with our limited ability to be able to go out with others, we may find the instances in which we compare ourselves to others to be much lower.
With the extra time inside, it may be helpful to utilize this time to build up your self-esteem through thoughtful reflection, planning self-care activities, and focus on your personal feelings towards yourself.
Takeaway: Self-isolation may benefit your esteem through allowing you to be more introspective than ever and providing you with the time to focus on yourself.
5. SELF-ACTUALIZATION
“What a man can be, he must be. This need we may call self-actualization” (Maslow, 1943).
Self-actualization is the "full realization of one’s creative, intellectual, and social potential through internal drive, versus for external rewards like money, status, or power" (Selva).
Given the previously dicussed benefits of isolation on esteem, it may be surprising that this might not actually be the best time to push yourself to self-actualize. Indeed, many feel as if this gift of time at home must be used to its entirety–cleaning their entire house, staying as productive as possible, working out 3x a day, etc.
However, it can be unhealthy for your well-being to hold yourself to such a high standard, especially during a pandemic.
Something to note is that no one expects anything from you during this time. Put best by psychotherapist Mary Mykhaylova, "the focus right now should not be on productivity, but on psychological coping, survival, and authenticity" (Mykhaylova).
Everyone's way of coping with COVID is different, which is yet another aspect to consider. There is no right way to go about living during this time, let alone self-actualizing. Like Mykhaylova states, the focus right now should be on finding your personal way of coping with living amidst a pandemic, and not how to push yourself too far in terms of being productive.
Takeaway: while you may feel the need to, no one expects that you'll come out of quarantine as a self-actualized superhuman. Focus on supporting yourself and realizing that you are living in a pandemic.
Some of Maslow's 5-tiers are able to be fulfilled. Others, not.
If there's anything to take from this article, it's that there is only so much you can control. Physiological, safety, and love needs can be fulfilled through staying healthy, reaching out to loved ones, and maintaining a sense of security.
On the other hand, the more higher order needs are harder to control. While isolation gives us the time to be more introspective, it is important that we understand nothing is expected from us. There are many factors that influence our ability to pursue self-actualization during this pandemic.
Ultimately, strive for the best and accept your final result. You are doing enough.
References
1. Galea, S., Merchant, R. M., & Lurie, N. (2020). The Mental Health Consequences of COVID-19 and Physical Distancing.JAMA Internal Medicine,180(6), 817. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2020.1562
2. Gawel, J. E. (1996). Herzberg's Theory of Motivation and Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.Practical Assessment, Research, and Evaluation,5(11), 1-3. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.7275/31qy-ea53.
3. Mcleod, S. (2020, March 20). Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
4. Mykhaylova, M. (2020, April 01). Perfectionism in the Time of COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/hk/blog/sitting-yourself/202004/perfectionism-in-the-time-covid-19
5. Poston, B. (2009). An Exercise in Personal Exploration: Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.The Surgical Technologist,347-353. Retrieved from https://www.ast.org/pdf/308.pdf.
6. Selva, J. (2020, April 29). What is Self-Actualization? A Psychologist's Definition [Examples]. Retrieved from https://positivepsychology.com/self-actualization/
7. Singh, P. (2020, May 06). Abraham Maslow's 'Hierarchy of Needs' Becomes Even More Relevant in the Era of COVID-19. Retrieved from https://www.psychreg.org/hierarchy-of-needs-covid-19/
8. Social Comparison Theory | Psychology Today Hong Kong. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/hk/basics/social-comparison-theory
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