Maslow Was Wrong

I don't believe Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is 100% correct. There are always exceptions to the rule and Maslow does not allow for any exceptions. Some peoples' hierarchy may be skewed, like beef on the grill.

This first occurred to me when Will and I were having one of our normal discussions. I disagreed with him at first. However, with further evaluation, I realized the philosophical content had more to do with complex, psychological processes and less to do with primary, basic needs. Just as growth and development of the individual over a lifespan occurs at different intervals, so Maslow's needs may be met at adjuncting times.

The first example would be misplacement of Love and Belongingness. The individual in the quarter life crisis often experiences this. The young adult faces intimacy vs. isolation in Erikson's Psychosocial Development and would not choose the life of a hermit willingly. At some point the desire for affection, friendship, and partnership outweighs the need for safety and security. One would find all stability, protection, security and freedom from fear and anxiety in a mate. If one cannot provide his or her own safety and security, he or she would rely on another to provide it. At this stage, one cannot feel stable, protected (cared for), or calm without the presence of a mate or potential mate. One may think this is most common in females. On the contrary, males know they can never reach comfort without a female's presence, and hence forth are caused much anxiety and fear because their second "basic need" is Love and Belongingness, not safety and security. These masculine creatures were probably brought us with much love and affection from their feminine decision maker, and therefore find their security in the female's acceptance.

They aren't the only ones deviating from Maslow's Hierarchy. Lots of people put Esteem before Love and Belongingness. These people want to find self-respect, self-confidence, and feelings of self worth before they venture off to find their careers, hobbies, and being single. If another all mighty philosophy, God, was thrown into the mix, these people could argue that they find their Love and Belongingness in Him. Others just cannot get over their own vain, conceited, ways of the world. Work-a-holics often get wrapped up in promotions and bursting through the glass ceiling that they often cannot see past their work or themselves.

Whether the view from the bottom is straight up or a steady uphill climb, few ever reach the top of the peek at Self-actualization. No matter the order in which people place their basic needs, the climb up the mountain is definitely a rocky road. For the trail blazers who try to take a helicopter to the top, it can be lonely once they reach actualization. Who is to say anyone has even made it to the viewpoint? Only one Almighty can judge whether or not someone has reach his or her full use of individual talents.