Maslow's Hierarchy has gotten a lot of exposure over the years, but it doesn't have much real scientific validity. It's one of those theories that sounds plausible, but without much substance, sort of like the psychoanalytic theory where Maslow started. High brow psychobabel, IMO. I've been to so many development seminars that started with Maslow's Hierarchy that it got so I thought I'd puke if I heard it one more time.
Paul
Maslow's theory is easy to understand for most of us. Here is an example from his own writings.
"One of the many interesting things Maslow noticed while he worked with monkeys early in his career, was that some needs take precedence over others. For example, if you are hungry and thirsty, you will tend to try to take care of the thirst first. After all, you can do without food for weeks, but you can only do without water for a couple of days! Thirst is a �stronger� need than hunger. Likewise, if you are very very thirsty, but someone has put a choke hold on you and you can�t breath, which is more important? The need to breathe, of course. On the other hand, sex is less powerful than any of these. Let�s face it, you won�t die if you don�t get it!"
