This article critiques the notion that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a one-way linear trend from lower to higher levels. It introduces the idea of a contrast between abundance and deficiency motivation and uses this to suggest that the usual table of needs can be split into two vertically. At each level, we have a choice between abundance (being) motivation and deficiency motivation, and we have to take responsibility for this.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
Ashby, W. R.
(1952). Design for a brain. London: Chapman & Hall.
2.
Atkinson, R. L.
, Atkinson, R. C., Smith, E. E., & Bem, D. J. (1993). Introduction to psychology (11th ed.). Fort Worth, TX: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
3.
Coleman, J. C.
(1969). Psychology and effective behaviour. Glenview, IL: Scott, Foresman.
4.
Fiske, D. W.
, & Maddi, S. R. (Eds.). (1961). Functions of varied experience. Homewood, AK: Dorsey.
5.
Hennig, J.
, Laschefski, U., & Opper, C. (1994). Biopsychological changes after bungee jumping: β-endorphin immunoreactivity as a mediator of euphoria?Neuropsychobiology, 29, 28-32.
6.
Krech, D.
, Crutchfield, R., & Livson, N. (1969). Elements of psychology (2nd ed.). New York: Knopf.
7.
Maslow, A. H.
(1962). Toward a psychology of being. Princeton, NJ: Van Nostrand.
8.
Maslow, A. H.
(1970). Religions, values and peak experiences. New York: Viking.
9.
Maslow, A. H.
(1987). Motivation and personality (3rd ed.). New York: Harper & Row.
10.
Quick, J. C.
, Nelson E. L., & Quick, J. D. (1990). Stress and challenge at the top: The paradox of the successful executive. Chichester, UK: John Wiley.
11.
Quick, J. C.
, & Quick, J. D. (1984). Organizational stress and preventive management. New York: McGraw-Hill.
12.
Rowan, J.
(1998). Maslow amended. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 38(1), 81-92.
13.
Selye, H.
(1976). The stress of life (2nd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
14.
Weiner, B.
(1985). Human motivation. New York: Springer-Verlag.
15.
Wilber, K.
(1995). Sex, ecology, spirituality. Boston: Shambhala.
16.
Woodworth, R. S.
(1958). Dynamics of behaviour. New York: Henry Holt.
