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The foundation of survival: Why physiological needs are the most important first step?
Physiological needs are the basis of human survival and the starting point of all needs. According to the hierarchy of needs theory of American psychologist Abraham Maslow, physiological needs are at the bottom of the pyramid and are crucial to the satisfaction of other needs. The five basic needs proposed by this theory are ranked in order of importance: physiological needs, safety needs, social needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs. This framework helps us understand the development of human motivation and builds the building blocks of healthy psychology.
Maslow pointed out that satisfying physiological needs is the prerequisite for pursuing higher-level needs, otherwise people will not be able to effectively pursue love, social belonging and self-realization.
Physiological needs: the primary condition for human survival
Physiological needs include basic survival conditions such as eating, sleeping, breathing and shelter. The satisfaction of these needs is the prerequisite for healthy survival. When these needs are not met, individuals cannot focus on higher-level needs. For example, "If a person doesn't have access to enough water or food, he can't feel safe or have relationships."
For many people, emotional needs are often pushed aside when faced with basic survival issues. This is why those in extreme poverty or hunger are unable to focus on building social relationships or pursuing career success.
Safety needs: the next step after physiological needs
Once physiological needs are met, safety needs emerge. This includes areas such as physical, emotional and financial security. Maslow believed that a lack of security creates anxiety in people and affects their quality of life. For example, “during war or economic crisis, people’s need for security is magnified and becomes their primary concern.”
Moreover, in order to stabilize their lives in a changing environment, individuals often seek job security and social support. In this situation, the lack of security may cause people to have anxiety and fear, making them unable to pursue their emotional or esteem needs.
Social needs and emotional connections
When physiological and safety needs are met, love and social needs follow. Humans are social animals with a strong need for acceptance and belonging. "The inability to establish interpersonal relationships will cause people to experience loneliness and social anxiety, and even lead to depression." At this level, interpersonal connections can not only bring spiritual comfort, but also promote mental health.
For children, the satisfaction of social needs is particularly important. Research shows that building stable relationships with peers can enhance their emotional development. If an individual's social needs are not met, it may affect their sense of self-worth and ability to interact in groups in the future.
Respect needs: the pursuit of self-worth
Once the social needs are met, the esteem needs follow. People desire to be respected and recognized, which is not limited to external evaluation, but also includes self-perception. Respect needs are divided into low-level external respect (such as social status, reputation) and high-level internal respect (such as self-efficacy, self-worth).
Respect is the key for people to realize their self-worth, and giving respect to others can also promote one's own growth.
Self-actualization: pursuing the realization of personal potential
After satisfying the above needs, people begin to pursue self-realization. Self-actualization refers to the process by which individuals fully develop their potential. Maslow believed that this was the highest level of human needs. Self-actualizers pursue creation, achievement, and self-exploration, a need that continuously promotes individual growth and development.
"The pursuit of self-realization is a manifestation of personal value. Satisfying this need will make people feel that life is fulfilling and meaningful." However, if the several needs mentioned above are not properly handled, it will be difficult to enter this level.
Conclusion
Since physiological needs are the most basic needs, this makes them the basis upon which other needs are formed. Only on the basis of satisfying physiological needs can individuals gradually realize psychological, social and final self-realization. Therefore, understanding the importance of physiological needs is not only crucial for individual survival, but also has specific significance for the harmony and development of society. So, do you think in the current society, how can these basic needs be better met to promote the all-round development of individuals?
