EARLY MOTIVATIONAL THEORIES - Essay Example

However, the theory that comes closest in understanding the motivation in human being in every sense is Abraham Maslow’s theory of ‘Hierarchy of Needs’. Unlike the ‘reward-punishment’ and ‘fair-unfair’ approach of motivation theories like ‘reinforcement theory’ by B.F. Skinner and ‘equity theory’ by John Adams respectively, the theory of ‘hierarchy of needs’ takes a ‘humanistic approach’ towards the motivation factor in human beings. It considers human beings as ‘humans’ and not ‘machines’ or ‘trainable’ beings who can be made to behave in certain way by giving them certain rewards in return.

‘Hierarchy of needs’ is the most developed and ‘human’ theory of motivation because it not only values the physical and psychological needs of human being, but also values the spiritual needs of human beings and hence, demonstrate that every human being has a spiritual dimension hidden in him which can be attained when his basic needs are fulfilled. The idea of ‘whole’ being Abraham Maslow was a revolutionary psychologist. He was instrumental in bringing a totally different kind of thinking, known as ‘the third force’, in the field of psychology.

Maslow believed that religious aspects of human beings, like morality and spirituality, are as much a part of human nature as science is (Goble 32). He believed that if one is to truly understand the nature of human being, then one should study not only the ‘scientific’ aspects of his nature but also the spiritual and moral aspects (Goble 32). This belief led Abraham Maslow to develop the theory of motivation called as the ‘hierarchy of needs’. Maslow’s theory of human motivation is based on an understanding that human being is an integrated and organized ‘whole’ being and hence, when he is motivated to do something, then his ‘whole’ being gets involved in fulfilling the motivated act and not just a part of him (Goble 50).

Hence, the desires and the needs that motivate human beings are related to each other and do not function independently from each other. The more complex the need and desire is, the higher are the chances of interrelation with other needs and desires (Goble 50). Hence, human beings cannot be motivated to perform by rewarding (ends) their individual needs (means) (Goble 50). An individual cannot be motivated to act unless all his interrelated needs are fulfilled. Hence, Maslow based his theory of motivation on the basis of the understanding that human being gets highly motivated only when he realizes that the needs of his ‘whole’ being are getting fulfilled.

Hierarchy of needs Maslow has classified human needs into following five categories: 1. Physiological Needs According to Maslow, the physiological needs of food, liquid, shelter, sex, sleep and oxygen are the most powerful needs of human being as his physical survival depends on these needs (Goble 50). Once these needs are sufficiently satisfied, then the next category of needs emerge in the nature of the human beings. 2. The Safety Needs The safety needs of human beings are fulfilled when they experience security, consistency, fairness and routine at home and at school/work (Goble 54).

When a person is denied of safety needs, he becomes neurotic and his need for order and control becomes a matter of life and death (Goble 54). This leads him to develop compulsive and neurotic attitude towards safety needs. When the safety needs are unfulfilled, then people get