Needs Move Mountains and People

Abraham Maslow of Brandeis University believes that people are motivated not only by their unique personalities and by how they want to fit into their world, but they are also motivated by their own individual needs. The premise that runs through Dr. Maslow s book is motivation is internal—thus, self-perpetuating.  

Maslow identified five needs. They run the gamut from the basic animal needs to the highly intellectual needs of modern man. They are the physiological, safety, social, ego, and self-fulfillment needs. In order for you to understand the relationship between these needs and the motivational process, a description of each one follows  

Physiological needs are the requirements we have for our survival. They encompass the basic needs that are necessary for the body to sustain life or physical well-being. These needs are such things as the food we eat, the clothing we wear, and the shelter we live in. Each of these must be satisfied 

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT A PRACTICAL APPROACH 

Ego needs include the requirements for self-identity, self-worth, status, and recognition. When social needs are reasonably satisfied, individuals are able to explore the dimensions of who they are and consider how they wish to sell/market themselves. Some examples of ego (esteem) needs are self-respect, esteem of others, self-confidence, mastery, competence, independence, freedom, reputation, prestige, status, fame, glory, dominance, attention, importance, dignity, and appreciation. These individuals will want to be involved in and be a part of the ongoing safety and health effort set by the company. 

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