In Psychology 101, I learned about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The textbook I learned from dedicated a few pages to the subject and as I recall, I skipped over it without any interest. Actually, some of what was presented was in error and I rejected it in its entirety at the time. However, I would like to review his hierarchy here, then investigate how trauma damages the foundation of our basic needs. Keep in mind, that although Maslow succesfully discribed our basic needs, He missed by denying the existance of God. Therefore he saw the highest of all acheivements as self-gratificatin instead of full obedience to God. Nevertheless, there is truth in the core of his works so I will keep that portion.
In the next few pages, we will explore the various aspects of humanity, how each can be damaged by life, and how this damage can become strengths. we will investigate how events can change and trigger our risk factors. Finally, in a later chapter, I would like to come back to this and apply recovery principles. For now, however: Maslow. In the words of my friend Diane, “I’ve never seen the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs applied to the trauma of rape.”
In 1943, Abraham Maslow wrote A Theory of Human Motivation in which he laid out a Hierarchy of Needs. In essence he said that in order for a person to become fulfilled, basic needs must be met. He categorized these needs into a pyramid or hierarchy.
The base of the pyramid are basic physiological needs. Air, food, water, sleep, shelter, temperature, etc. If we do not have these, we die. He also included sex in this category because it is necessary for the species to continue, but contrary to popular belief, on an individual level, one does not die without sex. Also, true procreation must occur in a healthy environment or the offspring is damaged. Therefore, although the drive itself may be a fundamental part of this category, I am moving the act, art and responsibility of sexuality/procreation to the highest level. As you study this, I think you will agree. Healthy children are raised by healthy parents and full health comes only when all aspects of life are healthy. This is the top of the pyramid, not the bottom.
The second category after these basic needs are met, is Safety. These include: order, stability, limits, security, protection and law. Where the first category allows us to survive, this second category adds comfort. Through this comfort, one has the opportunity to grow. Maslow left out the essential need for faith in our lives. Without the fulfilling relationship with out creator, we can never be fulfilled. I place this relationship with our God here in the second category as a basic need akin to safety, and in the next category, belonging and love needs. While Gods the source of all love, His love is so great that it gives us strength in this safety category.
The third layer in this pyramid is Belonging and Love Needs: Family, friends, work groups, relationships, and affection. The need for love and belonging is a very great need. If one does not find acceptance in family, one will seek it elsewhere. If for any reason the “Safe” relationships are damaged, then one will seek this level of comfort from others. As we will discuss later, this can be and is often very dangerous.
The fourth layer is Esteem Needs. This includes responsibility, achievements, reputation and status. Here Character is born and developed. People respond to this character.
Together, these four categories lay a foundation allowing a person to be self-motivated and contribute to society. If these four basic levels are not met or are damaged in some manor, one’s ability to grow and achieve is diminished. If there is no safety, one may be afraid to go to school or to work. If there is no positive feedback, one may give up trying to learn or achieve.
Maslow’s pyramid has been modified by others such as Alan Chapan, so the fifth category is expanded and divided into several subgroups depending on whose charts you follow.
After Esteem needs is Cognitive needs: knowledge, meaning, self-awareness. This is the desire to learn and to grow. It is an awareness of the world around us.
Then comes Aesthetic needs: Beauty, balance, form, etc. Here, we not only surround ourselves with beauty and balance, but we begin to express ourselves by creating beauty, balance and order. We are no longer subject to our environment, but we begin to participate in and changing our environment. Because we are created in the image of God, and God is the creator, creating things is an act of worship.
Now, we have self-actualization. Here Maslow announces mankind’s ultimate goal: self gratification. However, those of us who know God personally, find growth and a fulfilling relationship with God through obediance to Him and His word.
A final category goes beyond self-fulfillment. This is transcendence, at this level we no longer focus on our needs, wants and desires, but we focus on others trying to help them achieve their full potential. This is Maslow’s modified pyramid.
An example of how Maslow’s hierarchy works can be found in the following story.
A friend of mine went swimming while she was visited Hawaii. All was great until the tide went out and she went with it. Try as she might, she could not swim against the current. Watching the shore fade in the distance, fatigue set in. Fortunately, someone saw her and was able to bring her to shore.
Surrounded by the beauty of a tropical paradise with the sun warming her back meant nothing when faced with lungs full of salt water. Our basic needs must be met before we can enjoy pleasure.
Here, we see a hierarchy of fulfillment. But what happens during trauma? Where does the damage take place? We need to look at this so we can learn how to repair the damage and become healthy again. I am going to leave Maslow for a while and look at the human being in a slightly different light. In the next section, we will established what healthy life looks like. We will start with the physical essence of who we are then explore other aspects of our humanness.
The Eleven Aspects of Health