The first level of needs is biological and psychological, this level includes the basic needs of food, water, shelter, sleep etc. Once this lowest level of needs is satisfied, only then can the individual move on to the next stages (Chapman 2001-4). The second stage is about security needs, this includes the need for protection and security, stability and law etc. And once the needs in this stage are met, the individual can move on to the third stage of belonging and love, the individual needs family and affection and positive relationships for them to feel a sense of belonging and can move on to the 4th stage, self-esteem and results, independence and responsibility. If the needs of the 3rd stage are not met and the child does not feel a sense of belonging, he will have difficulty gaining self-esteem and will not be able to move on to the 4th stage. Once all needs in each of the first 4 stages are met, the child can move to the final level of self-actualization where he realizes his potential and seeks personal growth (Chapman 2001-4). Chapman also argues that if our most basic needs are not met we are no longer concerned with maintaining our higher needs and do not strive to satisfy them. McLeod 2007 also confirms this, explaining that once basic needs are satisfied in the first stage, humans will be motivated to satisfy needs in the next stage, and as the individual ages, and the longer they are denied needs, the more motivated they will be to obtain them. An example given by McLeod states that the longer a person goes without food, the hungrier they will become and will therefore be more motivated to get food. According to McLeod, every person is capable of satisfying every need, even if some people are unable to reach the needs at the top of the hierarchy because they need those at the lower level.
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