The human being has certain needs, be it to eat, have a job or have a family. The individual is motivated by the desire to satisfy many of his needs. That is why Maslow created his theory of motivation by considering a hierarchy of human needs. Do you know what the need for security is? In that Psychology-Online article, we are going to see what is the need for safety and security and how is it satisfied, with examples and clear explanations.
To understand what the need for security is, you must first know that there is a pyramid on human needs, created by the author and psychologist Abraham Maslow. Know in depth the Maslow's Theory of Needs.
His well-known "Maslow's Pyramid" is a theory that refers to human needs, in which each level of the pyramid is ordered according to a hierarchy of needs.
- Thus, at the base is the physiological needs, which are the most basic needs of the human being, refers to the need to breathe, feed and rest.
- On the second level of the pyramid is the need for security. They refer to the human need for physical, resource, health and family security.
- In the middle of the pyramid is the "need for affiliation", in which the individual feels the need to belong to a group of friends, to receive affection and sexual intimacy. In the following article, you will find more information about the affiliation need.
- The next level of the pyramid is the "need for recognition", which refers to the esteem you feel for yourself. The high esteem that a human being feels is associated with feelings such as confidence, independence, importance, achievement, appreciation and dignity. In this article you can see what is the need for recognition in psychology.
- And at the last level of the pyramid is the need for self-realization, in which the person has a higher psychological need, is compatible with the idea of personal growth, the need to "be" and feel self-actualized. Here we explain the self-actualization needs.
It is important to mention that in Maslow's theory the next level of the pyramid is only reached when the previous level was conquered.
Next we will see some examples in which the individual feels protected and has satisfied the need for her security:
- Job stability: the individual feels secure in having a job and consequently having a salary.
- Have a home: the individual feels safe and secure knowing that he has a house to live in.
- Have resources: an individual feels secure in having remuneration or in certain cases knowing that her family has income and resources.
- Physical security: an individual feels safe when he knows that he is safe from physical threats.
- Mental safety: an individual feels safe when he has controlled or balanced the fears and anxieties of her.
- Health: the individual feels secure when he knows that he is in good health.
Finally, it is worth noting that the security needs of Maslow's pyramid are mainly related to the way and conditions of life of the individual. According to the particularities of each life, one may or may not allow oneself to develop and begin to form its assets and capital.
Once physiological needs have been satisfied, the next level in the pyramid of needs corresponds to the need for safety.
Security needs are those in which the individual basically seeks his own security and protection. In addition, within that level of the pyramid, there are also: job stability, income and resources, physical security, family security and personal property.
It is a level that also refers to the need that human beings have to feel safe in the face of some danger, such as violence or catastrophe. This need is also related to the existence of laws and limits that allow for order in society.
When these needs are not met, complaints can usually occur from the citizens, such as, fear of walking on the street especially when living in violent neighborhoods or dangerous.
Then, the individual in search of satisfying her need for security, does what is necessary to find a quieter place that he can walk the streets more safely.
There are also complaints regarding safety and job stability, referring to the fear that the individual feels about being arbitrarily resigned and not being able to support his family, for example. In such a way, causing the loss of his job stability.
Another way for the individual to seek safety and protection, for example, is by obtaining a financial stability or preserving her employment.
The discomfort that the individual feels in these situations will only come to an end when they are satisfied security needs and that way you can move on to the next level of the pyramid of Maslow.
This article is merely informative, in Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
