Needs for esteem and recognition: what is Maslow’s idea?

Abraham Maslow developed this concept in his hierarchy of human needs.

Maslow's pyramid is one of the best known and most widespread psychological models in the psychology of needs and motivations.

This hierarchy of needs, formulated in the middle of the 20th century, establishes a series of requirements that must be satisfied in ascending order, from the most basic to the highest, ranging from physiological needs to self-fulfillment. In this article we will discuss one of the intermediate levels: esteem needs.

What are esteem needs according to Maslow?

Abraham Maslow was a psychologist known especially for being one of the promoters of the so-called "esteem needs". Humanistic psychology, a paradigm that places special emphasis on the private, subjective and emotional aspects of human experience and consciousness. of human experience and consciousness.

This current, moreover, focused on leading people towards their potency, and not so much on intervening on mental health problems or other alterations that cause specific discomfort expressed in symptoms. Therefore, it was important to know how to delimit the objectives and goals towards which individuals should aim to achieve their personal development.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which is usually represented in the form of a triangle or pyramid, is an effort to achieve this purpose, and establishes several types of areas of psychological and physical well-being to be covered: physiological needs, safety needs, needs for affiliation, needs for esteem or recognition, and self-actualization needs.

As an initial summary, we can say that the needs of esteem are those that have to do with the are those that have to do with the fact of having the respect of others and of oneself, a good social status, the possibility of others placing their trust in our hands and, in general, having a series of advantages that are expressed in personal relationships.The need for esteem, a good social status, the possibility that others will place their trust in our hands and, in general, to have a series of advantages that are expressed in personal relationships and in the treatment we receive from others, even if they do not belong to our family or circle of close friends.

All this has repercussions on one of the most important psychological constructs for Humanistic Psychology: self-esteem, or the evaluation of oneself in terms of one's abilities in terms of abilities, talents, potential, etc. Let's see in a little more detail what its components are and what needs to be done to satisfy the need for recognition.

Components of recognition needs

Although each individual experiences his or her personal relationships as a whole, from the point of view of psychology it is possible to subdivide the concept of esteem needs to see what kind of interactions and social capital constitute it.

Thus, by focusing on this level of Maslow's pyramid, we find the following elements.

1. Respect for others and improved self-esteem

Human beings are made to live with others in relatively large social groups, whose boundaries are sometimes so far apart that they are difficult to define. This means, among other things, that our self-image is shaped to a large extent by the way we perceive others see us..

Therefore, self-esteem does not exist as something isolated and independent, but also arises from interaction with others. And, on the other hand, not having the respect of others will make it more likely that low self-esteem will develop, which has a direct impact on the subject's quality of life and his or her propensity to expose him or herself to social interactions.

2. Social capital

The fact that others have a favorable attitude towards one makes it easier to count on their support, both in situations where their help is needed to avoid a harmful situation and to undertake projects together with which, thanks to collaboration, improving one's standards of living.

This improvement in the quality of life is embodied in public life (relations with a wide circle of people) and also in private life (private material goods), so this need is related to others.

Increased ability to help others

When the needs for esteem and recognition are met, it is more frequent that others spontaneously place their trust in us, which allows us to help them and thus guide us towards new goals and motivating situations. This allows us to help them and thus guide us towards new goals and motivating situations that make us feel good. that make us feel good.

Types of esteem needs

Abraham Maslow established another small classification within the concept of esteem needs, by distinguishing between high esteem and low esteem (not to be confused with high or low self-esteem).

High esteem

High esteem has to do with self-esteem: self-worth or self-esteem. Having this area of our well-being well taken care of self-confidence, orientation towards autonomy and independence, the belief that we can and independence, the belief that we can reach our goals, etc.

Low self-esteem

Low esteem is not as directly related to self-esteem as the previous category, since it is based on the respect that other people have for us (respect not in an intimidating sense). Thus, having this specific need covered implies having a good reputation and social status, which translates into numerous advantages in public and private life. numerous advantages in public and private life.