Basic Human Needs

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs describes categories of basic human needs. The top of the pyramid is the growth needs, whereas the rest of the pyramid is filled with deficiency needs. The pyramid is arranged as follows (from bottom to top):

Deficiency Needs

1. Physiological - food, water, oxygen, constant body temperature, etc. without these, people will die
2. Safety - feel safe from harm, danger, or threat of destruction; regularity and some predictability
3. Social - friendship, intimacy, affection, and love from work, family, friends, or romantic relationships
4. Esteem - a stable, firmly based level of self-respect and respect from others

Growth Needs

1. Self-Actualization - be oneself and act consistently with who one is; developing potential, becoming, and being what one is capable of being

Source: Social Work ASWB Masters Exam Guide: A Comprehensive Study Guide for Success by Dawn Apgar