4 May 2016
Abraham Maslow was an American psychologist that proposed a theory in 1943, called Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. He used the terms; Physiological, Safety, Belonging, Esteem and Self-Realization to describe which motivations are more important to us and to what extent, all designed in the form of a triangle. The more fundamental and basic needs are at the bottom of the hierarchy triangle and take up the most space or are seen as having the strongest drive in your individual motivation.
The five components are explained below in detail (from the bottom to the top):
1. Physiological
This is the largest, most fundamental need in Maslow’s pyramid. It covers the most basic physical needs for survival such as food, water, sleep, shelter, warmth. This and the next tier are more ‘product’ focused.
2. Safety
Safety and security can include protection, order, law, employment, health. Note, that these needs aren’t as crucial as the initial physiological ones, but are still important for human comfort.
3. Love/Belonging
Now we are beyond the physical and get up into the psychological and interpersonal needs such as friendship, family, and intimacy. According to Maslow, humans need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance within their social spheres. This sense of belonging motivates people to lean on their peers and listen to their recommendations. This is one of the primary reasons for social sharing, the group-thinking mentality. If your friends are sharing a piece of content, you are much more likely to accept it, look at it and therefore share it.
4. Esteem
The next level of needs is self-esteem. Esteem illustrates the desire to be recognized and rewarded for achievements. Because esteem is so closely linked with belonging, this level illustrates the need to be listened to and accepted by others. Growth on a personal and professional level can also fall under this because in the end everyone wants their opinion heard.
5. Self- actualization
This is the concept that refers to the desire to realize one’s full potential and to achieve a high level of accomplishment or mastery. This is the driving force behind the need to succeed and perfect his or her chosen interest or profession. Tapping into this need by fueling competition through your social channels.
The Babel Team asked themselves if Maslow’s Hierarchy, Social Media and our candidate’s involvement on these platforms are all interlinked and this is what we discovered…
1. Physiological
Think: Internet Connection
Having an internet connection has become an ever-increasing ‘basic human need’ in the development of our education, businesses, and general day-to-day life. We wouldn’t weight it as important as food, water, shelter and warmth however it has become increasingly evident that without an internet connection you are automatically worse off in terms of efficiency.
2. Safety
Think: LinkedIn
The safety component stretches into understanding that we all need security in the form of employment and ‘barriers’ in the form of personal security for our general conduct with others, or in this case, on social media. Our LinkedIn profiles showcase this ‘safety barrier’ of ours, and alongside we continue to build internal safety aspects to our general involvement with others and our interaction on social media. Showcasing our morals or values with restrictions, like for example not placing your festive (& drunk) pictures online, so as to always maintain a professional composure.
3. Love/Belonging
Think: Facebook
The acceptance in your social spheres reaches out to seeing whether you are accepted within networks and groups on Facebook and LinkedIn. Do you make up part of a group or groups on a social media platform? The fundamental concept behind social media’s social sharing stems from this. You become part of a group, feel motivated to share and inspired to listen to others, it’s the basic in-group mentality that we all rely on daily and it has become an element we come across on Facebook and LinkedIn very often these days.
4. Esteem
Think: Twitter OR Instagram
The almost manic need of getting likes, shares, pokes, and mentions embodies this element. Our endeavours on social media are driven by the need of being accepted, with the translation of this coming from the amount of likes, shares, comments and friend requests we get online.
5. Self- actualization
Think: Blog, Personal Website OR Your Interview as a Candidate
Having mastered something or becoming a leader in your industry is important for personal development. It showcases your creativity or inner talent in whatever format it may be. This can also stretch into your ability in an interview and self-expression in the sense of being fully able to showcase your skills in a certain format, be it verbal, written or online in a graphic context. It is important to not only showcase this element somehow but also do it well!
It’s important to understand that these levels vary in application, importance and greatness for each candidate. The methods, execution, and overall concepts differ for each person either drastically or slightly.
Move up on your own hierarchy and make it yours!
