Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory seems pretty accurate when describing the order in which we satisfy our needs. His theory explains the five basic chronological needs which are achieved in the order he places them. The needs are physiological, safety, love, esteem and self-actualization, and they exemplify the human behavior. He believed, “human needs emerge in a predictable stair-step fashion” one is not achieved before the other. Both Kreitner and Kinicki illustrate this when they explain that a manager or employer must first focus on satisfying their employees’ needs which relate to self-concepts, self-esteem and self-actualization. If an employee is not satisfied with nor has no confidence in him or herself, they will not be able to perform to the best of their ability and that will be reflect in their work. The self-esteem and self satisfaction of a person correlates with important outcomes such as “academic achievement, physical illness, psychological well-being (anxiety disorder, depression etc.), drug abuse, marital satisfaction, money and work problems, and performance at work, which is what Kreitner and Knicki mention in the book.
An example of the accuracy of Maslows Hierarchy of Need Theor is an article by Best which presents a discussion on the use of the Hierarchy of Needs of Maslow in planning for care for those who are addicted to drugs. Best explains how it is essential that providers of care should work on the physiological needs of drug addicts first before proceeding to higher levels of safety, belonging, esteem and spiritual needs. Treatments in the lowest level include detoxification, which are classified under physiological needs. It is also asserted that the treatment should focus on the goal of maintenance of the patients which also fall under physiological needs. As a result, Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory is a very accurate depiction of the order in which we explain our human behavior.
Source: Best, D., et al. "The Hierarchy of Needs and care planning in addiction services: What Maslow can tell us about addressing competing priorities?." Addiction Research & Theory 16.4 (2008): 305-307. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 21 Feb. 2010
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While you bring up a valid point, I also think that some of the levels may also overlap at times (as discussed in marketing). There's a difference between needs and wants. Sometimes what we think we need can just turn out to be something we want in the moment. This could be influenced by outside forces that society has inflicted on us, or by what we are attracted to. It then turns into Maslow's Want Hierarchy, instead of Maslow's Need Hierarchy.
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