One of my favourite theories is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
Abraham Maslow suggested that in order to reach self-actualisation; the best we can be, we have to “sequentially partake in behavioural motivation”.
What that essentially means is that motivation comes from the natural dopamine production when our physiological and emotional needs are met in order. In other words, we are motivated to repeat activities that give us a release of natural dopamine.
Maslow surmised that we must have four sets of needs met before we can ‘self-actualise’ these are:
- Physiological needs (food, water, clothing)
- Safety and security (home, job)
- Love & belonging (relationships, connection)
- Esteem (feelings of accomplishment)
If these needs are not being met there will be an impact on the reward centre of the brain. If no dopamine is being released, according to Maslow we will seek reward no matter where it comes from: potentially therefore engaging in activity or behaviours which provide the reward not being met by day to day life.
There is a fundamental question of why we don’t look after ourselves even when we know what’s good for us. Consider these examples:
If you had a traumatic childhood and didn’t have the safety and security you needed, that reward centre of your brain is looking for it elsewhere. Perhaps this is over-eating, stepping back to physiological needs as this did once provide the natural dopamine.
Alternatively, staying up all night on social media because receiving ‘likes’ triggers the love & belonging reward.
When we skip a stage, our brain still looks for that dopamine, searching for it in activities such as excessive spending (shoes for example!), alcohol, drugs or risky behaviours, but this is all temporary.
Take a look at Maslows hierarchy. Are your needs being met sequentially?
