Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Criticisms

Criticisms

In their extensive review of research based on Maslow's theory, Wahba and Brudwell found little evidence for the ranking of needs that Maslow described or for the existence of a definite hierarchy at all.

The order in which the hierarchy is arranged (with self-actualization described as the highest need) has been criticized as being ethnocentric by Geert Hofstede. Hofstede's criticism of Maslow's pyramid may stem from the fact that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs fails to illustrate and expand upon the difference between the social and intellectual needs of those raised in individualistic societies and those raised in collectivist societies. Maslow may have created his hierarchy of needs from an individualistic perspective since he was from a highly individualistic society: the United States. The needs and drives of those in individualistic societies tend to be more self-centered than those in collectivist societies, focusing on improvement of the self, with self-actualization being the apex of self-improvement. Since the hierarchy was written from the perspective of an individualist, the order of needs in the hierarchy (with self-actualization at the top) is not representative of the needs of those in collectivist cultures. In collectivist societies, the needs of acceptance and community will outweigh the needs for freedom and individuality.

In actuality, some of these criticisms may be about Maslow's choice of terminology, especially with the term "self-actualization". "Self-actualization" may not effectively convey his observations; this motivation refers to focusing on becoming the best person that one can possibly strive for in the service of both the self and others. For example, "a musician must make music, an artist must paint, a poet must write, if he is to be ultimately at peace with himself. What a man can be, he must be. He must be true to his own nature. This need we may call self-actualization." Maslow's term of self-actualization might not properly portray the full extent of this level; quite often, when a person is at the level of self-actualization, much of what they accomplish in general may benefit others.

The position and value of sex on the pyramid has also been a source of criticism regarding Maslow’s hierarchy. Maslow’s hierarchy places sex in the physiological needs category along with food and breathing; it views sex solely from an individualistic perspective. For example, sex is placed with other physiological needs which must be satisfied before a person considers "higher" levels of motivation. This view of sex neglects the emotional, familial, and evolutionary implications of sex within the community.