Chapter 3 The Current State of the F amily and Consumer Sciences Profession
41
retirement needs. What other examples in your
career field illustrate that considering individ-
ual time, generational time, life stages, or devel-
opmental tasks is helpful?
Core Concept: Basic Human
Needs
Basic human needs are “components of
human existence that must be satisfied for indi-
viduals to develop their human capacity” (Nickols
et al., 2009). They are central to this discussion. In
Chapter 2 you learned how the field of family and
consumer sciences helps improve quality of life
by focusing on meeting people’s needs for food,
clothing, shelter, and relationships. How will you
do that in your specialization? One way to exam-
ine this question is to consider the hierarchy of
human needs developed by Abraham Maslow.
Maslow classified needs as physiological, safety,
love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.
Self-actualization refers to a person’s drive to reach
his/her full potential, to become the best person
one can be. In Figure 3-2, these needs are pictured
in a pyramid with physiological needs at the base
and self-actualization at the top. The pyramid illus-
trates Maslow’s contention that one must first meet
a lower need before needs higher on the hierarchy
become motivating factors. For example, when a
person has an unmet physiological need, such as
food, the person is not concerned with the higher
need of self-respect (McLeod, 2007).
There are other ways to classify needs, and
Maslow’s theory has been criticized as not appli-
cable in all cultures (Wachter, 2003). However,
it can be a useful framework. Considering
Maslow’s hierarchy, how does your career field
help people meet their needs and eventually
arrive at self-actualization? Some examples are
obvious. The hospitality industry meets custom-
ers’ needs for food and shelter. How does the
industry address safety needs or the desire for
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Self-Actualization
All needs have been
fulfilled to some degree
Esteem
Need to be liked and respected
Love and Acceptance
Need for support, assurance, praise, acceptance
Security
Need to feel safe in surroundings
Physical Needs
Need for air, water, food, clothing, shelter
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Figure 3-2 Abraham Maslow believed physical needs must be met before all other needs and wants.