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Abraham Maslow has conceived a hierarchy of needs as a model of human happiness, which is attainable through self-actualization. While Maslow believed that self-fulfillment is attainable through the sequential satisfaction of specific human needs, represented in the hierarchy as a linear movement from base to its summit, he recognized that many individual human journeys in relation to the hierarchy are fitful, circuitous, and often incomplete. This article describes categories of human behavior that approach the satisfaction of needs in non-linear ways. The article posits that a linear approach to the satisfaction of needs is optimal and scientifically sound, but that non-linear approaches create definable human types that can be accounted for in an updated version of Maslow's model that accounts for recursive, non-linear movement regarding the satisfaction of needs. To account for various gaps, shortfalls, and overextensions in the process of needs fulfillment-variations that might be termed misapprehensions of the natural linear path to happiness that Maslow established. This article divides the traditional hierarchy into three basic need categories, which will allow us to identify eight archetypes existing across a broad spectrum of needs fulfillment. Each of these archetypes is briefly described and analyzed with the hope that a more thorough accounting of variations in sequencing will give researchers additional flexibility in applying Maslow's model to account for human behavior and the elusive pursuit of happiness.
Keywords: Hierarchy of needs, Archetypes, Self-actualization, Self-transcendence.
Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is one of the most prominent need-based motivational theories. Maslow originally recognized five human needs-psychological, safety, love and belonging, esteem and self-actualization (Maslow, 1943). Later, he elaborated on the concept of self-actualization and differentiated between self-actualization and self-transcendence needs (Maslow, 1972; Maslow 2013). He labeled these two higher needs as 'being' needs or B-needs and the lower four needs as 'deficient' needs or D-needs (Maslow, 1964; Maslow, Frager, & Cox, 1970).
Deficient needs include the need for homeostasis, financial and political security, love, intimacy, sex, recognition, appreciation, etc. Self-actualization needs focus on an individual's attention on personal growth, knowledge, and fulfillment of potential. Some examples of selfactualization needs are the need for knowledge, truth, meaning, understanding, creativity, and the need for seeking one's true inner passion, potential and purpose in life (Maslow, 2013). Self-transcendence needs include...