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Criticisms of Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory
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| Criticisms of Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory • Research works by Wahba and Bridwell (1986), Lawler and Suttle (1972), and Hall and Nougaim (1968) did not produce any support to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs theory. Authorities believed that the theory was neither developed from controlled empirical studies nor was it rigorously tested. These research works have rejected the thinking of Maslow that needs can be put in hierarchical levels. • Another criticism of Maslow’s needs hierarchy theory is that the hierarchy as captured by Maslow may not be applicable to everybody. The arrangement may alter with individuals. For some people, there will be a reversal of the hierarch, for example a) Self-esteem may seem to be more important than love to some people. This is the most common reversal of the hierarchy. It is often based on the belief that the person most loved is strong, confident or inspires respect. People seeking love try to put on a show of aggressive, confident behaviour. They are not really seeking self-esteem as an end it itself but for the sake of love needs. b) For some creative people, the drive for creativity and self-actualisation may arise despite lack of satisfaction of more basic needs. c) Higher-level needs maybe lost in some people who will continue to be satisfied with lower levels only for example, a person who has experienced chronic unemployment. d) Some people who have been deprived of love in early childhood may experience the permanent loss of love needs. e) A need which has continued to be satisfied over along period of time maybe undervalued. For example, people who have never suffered from chronic hunger may tend to underestimate its effects, and regard food as rather an unimportant thing. Where people are dominated by a higher-level need, this may assume greater importance than more basic needs. f) People with high ideals or values may become martyrs and give up everything else for the sake of their beliefs. 286 Wahba and Bridwell (1976) were of the view that several needs maybe strong simultaneously rather than the distinct categorisation amplified by Maslow. Yalokwu (2004) noted that needs are not static but dynamic and therefore anybody can go down the hierarchy as fast as or even faster than go up. Also, he contended that more than one need levels can be operative at any given time. Maslow is of the view that meeting of human needs is in his defined hierarchical levels, whereas, other psychologists have noted that human beings have the capacity to seek higher level fulfilment even when lower level needs have not been met. Some academicians devote themselves to their research efforts rather than making money from other pursuits, even at the price of constant struggle with poverty. Porter and Lawler (1968) affirmed that some outcomes are relevant to be the fulfilment of more than one need at a time. For example, good pay appears to satisfy not only the physiological needs and safety needs, but also the esteem needs. Download 3.37 Mb. Share with your friends:
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