Back in 1943, Abraham Maslow changed how we understand human motivation. His paper, A Theory of Human Motivation, introduced a simple idea that we still use today: people must meet basic needs before they can grow emotionally and reach their full potential. This idea is now known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. It started as a short paper, but its impact shaped decades of psychology, education, and business thinking even here in Pakistan and South Asia.
Let’s break it down simply for you.
The Original 1943 Paper – Key Details
Maslow’s theory didn’t start as a fancy book or a social media post. It began as a research paper published in the respected journal Psychological Review. The exact title was:
“A Theory of Human Motivation”
📅 Year: 1943
📰 Journal: Psychological Review, Volume 50, Pages 370–396
Maslow wanted to understand why people behave the way they do. Why do we study? Work hard? Seek love or approval? His answer was clear: humans move step-by-step through levels of needs. Once a lower level is satisfied, we naturally move up.
The Five Levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy
Maslow’s hierarchy is like a ladder. You can’t jump to the top without standing on the lower steps first.
Here’s what he originally described:
1. Physiological Needs
These are basic survival needs: food, water, air, sleep. If you’re hungry, you’ll ignore almost everything else until you eat.
2. Safety Needs
Once basic needs are met, we want security. This includes personal safety, job security, health, shelter, and protection from danger.
3. Love and Belonging
Humans are social. We want to feel loved and accepted. This means relationships with friends, family, romantic partners, or social groups.
4. Esteem Needs
Now we seek respect both from others and ourselves. This includes confidence, recognition, achievement, and independence.
5. Self-Actualization
The top of the pyramid. This is about realizing your full potential. Doing what you’re best at. Living with purpose and creativity.
💡 In Maslow’s view, you can’t reach higher levels (like success or purpose) if you’re struggling for food or feeling unsafe.
How to Cite Maslow’s 1943 Theory in APA Format
If you’re writing a research paper or assignment, citing Maslow correctly matters. Here’s how:
✅ APA 7th Edition:
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0054346
✅ APA 6th Edition:
Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological Review, 50(4), 370–396.
Always use italics for the journal title and volume number. The link can be added if available.
Download Maslow’s Original Hierarchy of Needs PDF
Many Pakistani psychology students ask: “Where can I read Maslow’s original paper?” The good news is, this paper is now public domain or available through academic repositories.
Here are a few safe ways to find it:
Google Scholar: Search “Maslow A Theory of Human Motivation 1943 PDF”
ResearchGate: Some scholars upload a scanned version
APA PsycNet: For verified citations and official formatting
Free Library Resources: Some Pakistani university websites also provide open access papers
Avoid downloading from shady links. Always look for academic sources or library databases.
Why Maslow’s Theory Still Matters Today
Maslow’s idea is almost 80 years old but still relevant. In fact, it helps us understand many things in daily life, like:
Why students struggle to focus if they’re hungry
Why people in unsafe homes cannot easily build confidence
Why a person might feel unhappy even after earning a good salary
Maslow’s pyramid reminds us: motivation is layered. It respects the human journey, especially in South Asian societies where social connection and security are key.
Criticism and Limitations of the Original Paper
No theory is perfect even one as famous as this.
Key Limitations:
Too Western:
Maslow’s model is based on American culture. In places like Pakistan, community and family needs often come before personal ones.No Fixed Order for Everyone:
Not all people follow this step-by-step path. Some find meaning in religion or service even when basic needs aren’t met.No Scientific Measurement:
Maslow didn’t use hard data to prove the order of needs. It was more of a psychological idea than a tested model.
Despite all this, the model still helps millions of students, teachers, and leaders understand what people need to grow.
Real-Life Examples: Applying Maslow’s Model Today
Let’s make it simple and local.
Student Example
A college student from Multan is struggling with grades. But when you ask more, he hasn’t eaten properly in days and feels unsafe at his rented room. He’s stuck in level 1 and 2, so motivation (level 4) can’t happen yet.
Parenting Example
A mother who works full-time may forget to praise her child’s drawings. The child, though well-fed and safe, misses out on esteem needs, leading to insecurity.
Teacher Example
A teacher notices students lose focus during the electricity load shedding period. Safety and physical needs dominate, blocking attention and learning.
These examples show how Maslow’s theory is still practical in homes, schools, and workplaces across South Asia.
Summary Table: Maslow’s Hierarchy in 1943
| Level | Need Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Physiological | Food, water, air, sleep |
| 2 | Safety | Shelter, stability, protection |
| 3 | Love/Belonging | Family, friendships, social life |
| 4 | Esteem | Respect, recognition, confidence |
| 5 | Self-Actualization | Purpose, talent, creativity |
Final Thoughts
Maslow’s original paper in 1943 gave us a simple but powerful way to understand human behavior. It helps explain why people act, work, love, and sometimes feel stuck.
In our culture where families, traditions, and community often guide choices Maslow’s hierarchy needs a bit of cultural tuning, but the core idea still applies.
Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher, or curious reader, remembering this pyramid can help you understand what you need and what others might be missing.
TL;DR
Maslow’s 1943 paper “A Theory of Human Motivation” introduced the hierarchy of needs, showing that people must fulfill basic needs (like food and safety) before moving to love, esteem, and self-actualization. The theory still helps explain behavior and motivation today, especially when applied to real-life situations in South Asia. You can cite the original paper in APA style and find free PDF versions for academic use.
Imran Shahzad, M.Sc. Psychology (BZU, 2012), shares real-world mental health tips and emotional guidance in simple English for everyday South Asian readers.