Maslow’s Needs Theory and the Application in Hospital

Maslow’s Needs Theory and the Application in Hospital

Introduction

        Psychologist Abraham Maslow (1968) work out a hierarchy of human needs theory. From the bottom to the top there are eight levels.  In Maslow’s view, needs operate from the bottom up in this needs hierarchy(2p31). By communication, each level of needs could be meet(1p5). The objectives of this article are to identificate and description of each of Maslow’s needs within a movie “I am Sam”, and then to show the application of each need to a potential client in a hospital.

Maslow’s Needs Hierarchy Theory

Physiological Needs

At the most basic level, humman being need to survive, obtain food , water, and oxygen, need sleep, and engage in sex. All of which Maslow considered to be the Physiological Needs(1p5-6).

In the beginning of the movie “I am Sam”, when Lucy was a little baby, she cried all the time. Then the neighbour of Sam, Annie teach him that the baby need to be feed every two hours(3). Every human need to survive, if have no food to eat, the baby or adults will died. It is ture to little Lucy, her cry is her way to communication with the caregiver that her basic level of need have not be meet. When she be feed, she finally grow up.

Safety Needs

Safety needs means humans need to be comfort, security, Freedom from fear, freedom from violence. If these needs are not being met, it is almost impossible to focus on the higher hierarchical needs(1p6-7).

In the movie, Sam prepared a birthday party to Lucy. In the stress of nervous, Sam scold a boy. This behaour was misunderstand and deemed by the court that it posed a threat to the safety of children(3).  Which means the safety needs of Lucy and other children may not met.Though we know it was not true, Sam is a very nice fatherand, and will never hurt Lucy.

Belonging Needs

Belonging needs is the third level of needs. Humans want other people’s company, acceptance, be loved and love others. Everyone unwill to be lonlines(1p8).

In this movie, every thusday, all the close friends of Sam go to his home and watch vedio together. When Sam busy with the Lucy’s case with the lawyeress, and have no time to accompany with his friends, they all feel sad(3).

Self-esteem Needs

Moving up the hierarchy, there is the Self-esteem needs. In this level, people need competence, approval, and recognition. We want others to respect us and self-respect(1p9).

In the middle of the movie, Sam wants to pay the bill for the layeress. When the layeress suspicious of his motives. He is a little angry. He said : “I am a grown-up!” (3) This shows even mental retardation, others’ respect to him still very important.

Cognitive  Needs

Cognitive needs means people need to know, to understand, and to explore. Each of us wants to expand new dimensions, engage in challeng things, and learn new skills(1p11).

In the movie, Lucy is a full of curiosity girl. She asked so many questions to her father Sam. She likes reading, and was very happy to learn painting (3).  Her cognitine needs is strong.

Aesthetic Needs

Many people experience a sense of personal fulfillment when they have beauty, symmetry in live. Music, art, athletics, the wonders of nature bring joys to humans’ spirits. these are ingredients of aesthetic needs(1p11).

When Lucy wants  “a pink flower”, one of Sam’s retarded friend’s wear a tie to apear in the court, Annie play the piano(3), we can figure out that they are all egerged in the aesthetic needs.

Self-actualization  Needs

Self-actualization needs means humans want to have experiences that allow us to grow throughout life and to become our fullest selves by realizing our unique potential(1p11).

The layeress in the movie always want to be the best one. Not only in her study life, but also in her career life. She wish to win all her case, wish to be always successful(3). To sum up, she want to experience self-actualization all the time.

Peak experience

 Peak experiences are sudden feelings of intense happiness and well-being, and possibly the awareness of "ultimate truth" and the unity of all things. The experience fills the individual with wonder and awe(4).

In this movie, the layeress experiences this need by engaged into Sam’s case, and then experienced the different life of a retarded people. Finally, she shows sympathy to his life, and know the answer to her life(3).