Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Background

I often see Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in media or SNS.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs

Question

There are a lot of persons who eat less than their bodies need for keeping their styles.

They eat less for Esteem in SNS pictures.

They seek Esteem more than Physiological.

How does Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explain about them?

Asked to ChatGPT(o1-mini)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943, which posits that human motivation is driven by a hierarchy of needs. These needs are typically depicted as a pyramid with five levels:

1. Physiological Needs: Basic survival needs such as food, water, shelter, and sleep.
2. Safety Needs: Security, stability, and protection from harm.
3. Love and Belongingness Needs: Social connections, relationships, and a sense of belonging.
4. Esteem Needs: Recognition, self-respect, and respect from others.
5. Self-Actualization: Realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, and personal growth.

Understanding the Scenario

In the context you've described, individuals are prioritizing Esteem Needs—seeking recognition and validation through their appearance on social media (SNS)—even if it means compromising their Physiological Needs by eating less to maintain a certain image.

How Maslow’s Hierarchy Explains This Behavior

1. Basic Needs Already Met:
• Assumption: For Maslow's hierarchy to hold strictly, physiological needs should be adequately met before higher-level needs become dominant.
• Explanation: If individuals are focusing on esteem over physiological needs, it suggests that their basic needs (food, shelter, etc.) are sufficiently met, allowing them to prioritize higher-level psychological needs like esteem and recognition.
2. Cultural and Social Influences:
• Modern Society Dynamics: In today’s digital age, social validation through platforms like SNS can be immensely powerful. Cultural emphasis on appearance and social status can amplify the desire for esteem.
• Maslow’s Flexibility: While Maslow's model is hierarchical, it’s not strictly linear in practice. Social and cultural factors can sometimes accelerate the pursuit of higher needs even if lower needs aren’t fully satisfied for everyone.
3. Psychological Factors:
• Self-Perception and Identity: Individuals may derive a significant part of their identity and self-worth from social media feedback, pushing them to prioritize esteem needs.
• Maslow’s Acknowledgment of Complexity: Maslow recognized that human motivation is complex and that people might pursue multiple needs simultaneously or prioritize differently based on personal and environmental factors.
4. Potential Misalignment or Overemphasis:
• Modern Challenges: The digital age presents new avenues for esteem needs, sometimes leading to behaviors that might neglect physiological well-being.
• Theory Limitations: While Maslow’s hierarchy provides a useful framework, it may not account for all contemporary societal pressures and individual differences that influence behavior.

Implications

• Balance is Crucial: While seeking esteem and recognition is natural, neglecting physiological needs can lead to adverse health outcomes.
• Awareness and Education: Understanding the hierarchy can help individuals recognize the importance of maintaining a balance between different levels of needs.
• Mental Health Considerations: Overemphasis on esteem needs at the expense of physiological well-being can be linked to issues like eating disorders, anxiety, and depression.

Conclusion

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs provides a foundational framework to understand human motivation. In the scenario where individuals prioritize esteem needs over physiological needs for social media validation, it suggests that their basic needs are sufficiently met, allowing higher-level needs to take precedence. However, it also highlights the dynamic and sometimes non-linear nature of human motivation, especially in the context of modern societal influences.

My feeling and conclusion

I felt ChatGPT is good at deceiving…

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs may be not useful idea in this era.

Moreover, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs shows the person who doesn’t think deeply when he/she uses it.

Additional thought

I don’t criticize Maslow’s idea.

I think he wanted to know about humans desire at that time.

As time passed, humans desire changes.

I criticized the person who steals other people’s ideas.

But I rethought human can change because humans desire change.