But if you’re rich, why would you get depressed?
In the wake of the recent unfortunate tragedy, the question in the title was brought up in many households. People started talking online and offline, some said that it might have to do with lack of financial stability, others argued that it was due to complications in the relationship. This got me to think that if it’s these unmet desires which cause us to experience sadness, if so then what other needs can a person generally have? I found the answer to this question in Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, which is a basic psychology concept in understanding the humanistic approach to personality and behaviors.
In his paper, “A Theory of Human Motivation", Maslow laid out a theory that says human beings are motivated by a hierarchy of needs. These needs are organized in a hierarchy of prepotency in which more basic needs must be more or less met (rather than all or none) before higher needs.
1. Physiological needs - These include the things that are vital to our survival, e.g. air, food, drink, shelter, clothing, sex, sleep. If these needs are not satisfied the human body cannot function optimally. Maslow considered physiological needs the most important as all the other needs become secondary until these needs are met.
2. Safety needs - Once an individual’s physiological needs are more or less satisfied, the needs for security and safety become salient. People want to experience order, predictability, and control in their lives. Finding a job, obtaining health insurance and health care, contributing money to a savings account, and moving into a safer neighborhood are all examples of actions motivated by security and safety needs.
3. Love and belongingness needs - The third level of human needs is social and involves feelings of belongingness. The need for interpersonal relationships motivates behavior. Examples include friendship, intimacy, trust, and acceptance, receiving and giving affection and love. Personal relationships with friends, family, and lovers play an important role, as does involvement in other groups that might include religious groups, sports teams, book clubs, and other group activities.
4. Esteem needs - At the fourth level in Maslow’s hierarchy is the need for appreciation and respect. Classified into two categories:
(i) esteem for oneself (dignity, achievement, mastery, independence, search for beauty, balance, form, etc.), and
(ii) the desire for reputation or respect from others (e.g., status, prestige).
At this point, it becomes increasingly important to gain the respect and appreciation of others. People feel a need to accomplish goals and then have their efforts recognized. They wish to have a feeling that they are contributing to the world. Participation in professional activities, academic accomplishments, athletic or team participation, and personal hobbies can all play a role in fulfilling the esteem needs. That’s why in some cases, people who lack self-esteem and the respect of others, develop feelings of inferiority.
5. Self-Actualization Needs - This level is described as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be. Self-actualizing people are self-aware, concerned with personal growth, less concerned with the opinions of others, and interested in fulfilling their potential.
Individuals may perceive or focus on this need very specifically. For example, one individual may have a strong desire to become an ideal parent. In another, the desire may be expressed economically, academically, or athletically. For others, it may be expressed creatively, in paintings, pictures, or inventions.
It is also important to note that self-actualization is a continual process of becoming rather than a perfect state one reaches of a 'happy ever after'
So, what did we learn from this theory?
We have learned that every person is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchy toward a level of self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is often disrupted by a failure to meet lower-level needs. Life experiences, including divorce and loss of a job, may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels of the hierarchy.
Therefore, not everyone will move through the hierarchy in a unidirectional manner but may move back and forth between the different types of needs. And when we're not able to achieve one of these needs, we get this feeling of gloominess. So, next time you feel bitter, try to identify what’s causing it, try introspecting, or take the help of trusted individuals because remember identifying the problem is half battle won.
If you have questions, messages, or suggestions for me then you can either ask me here anonymously or leave me a message on Instagram, the handle is @vishal_meena.
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