Criticisms of Hierarchy of Needs Theory

There are some criticisms of Maslow’s need hierarchy theory of motivation. These are-

1. No single motivation theory can bold up to any circumstance and Needs of all people is not uniform.
2. No supporting scientific evidence to prove the Maslows theory.
3. Failed to considered Culture influence (starving artist)
4. Fundamental human needs are non-hierarchical, and are ontologically universal and invariant in nature—part of the condition of being human; poverty may result from any one of these needs being frustrated, denied or unfulfilled.
5. Criticism of Maslow’s pyramid as ethnocentric may stem from the fact that Maslow’s hierarchy of needs neglects to illustrate and expand upon the difference between the social and intellectual needs of those raised in individualistic societies and those raised in collectivist societies.
6. Maslow created his hierarchy of needs from an individualistic perspective, being that he was from the United States, a highly individualistic nation. The needs and drives of those in individualistic societies tend to be more self centered than those in collectivist societies, focusing on improvement of the self, with self actualization being the apex of self improvement.
7. Several problems has Maslow’s pyramid. One of them is that needs, once they are met, do not simply disappear. Rather, certain environmental cues can make them come back.