Posted: September 17th, 2023

Maslow’s hierarchy posits that certain basic physiological

Instructions: This activity aims to produce a written applying the concepts studied in this module. Delve into the topics covered in the module by answering the following question(s):

Choose a social policy and respond:

Choose a social policy, organization, or program and apply one of the organizational models of human behavior. Elaborate on the issues to consider using the information provided in the module.

Contribute a minimum of 3-5 pages. It should include at least three academic sources, formatted and cited in APA.

Maslow’s hierarchy posits that certain basic physiological and safety needs must be met before an individual can focus on higher-order needs of belonging, esteem, and self-actualization (McLeod, 2020). Food assistance programs aim to fulfill the most basic of human needs – nutrition and sustenance. In the United States, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, provides monthly benefits to low-income households to purchase eligible food items (USDA, n.d.). However, debates persist regarding eligibility requirements, benefit adequacy, and program effectiveness (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2022).
Applying Maslow’s framework, we can analyze whether SNAP adequately addresses recipients’ physiological needs for food. Research shows the average SNAP benefit of $1.40 per person per meal in 2019 was not sufficient to last the entire month, indicating a need to revisit benefit levels to truly meet basic nutritional requirements (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 2022). SNAP may also impact higher-order needs, as food insecurity has been linked to poorer physical and mental health as well as lower educational achievement – obstacles to achieving esteem and self-actualization (Feeding America, 2022).
In considering program improvements through an organizational behavior lens, policymakers could increase SNAP benefits while also expanding employment and training supports. This two-pronged approach could help recipients to not only meet basic caloric intake but also build skills leading to financial independence and fulfillment of higher needs. Community organizations could also play a role in connecting SNAP participants with additional social services as needed.
In conclusion, analyzing SNAP through Maslow’s hierarchy of needs offers insight into both the program’s strengths in addressing food access as a physiological requirement and opportunities for strengthening benefits to facilitate achievement of higher-order goals. A multi-faceted approach considering recipients’ full range of needs may lead to better social and economic outcomes. Please let me know if you require any clarification or have additional questions.
McLeod, S. (2020). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Simply Psychology. https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. (2022, March 30). Policy basics: The supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). https://www.cbpp.org/research/food-assistance/policy-basics-the-supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program-snap
Feeding America. (2022). The impact of the coronavirus on food insecurity in 2020 & 2021. https://www.feedingamerica.org/research/coronavirus-hunger-research
USDA. (n.d.). Supplemental nutrition assistance program (SNAP). https://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/supplemental-nutrition-assistance-program

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Study Notes:
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: A Guide for Personal Growth and Development

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a well-known theory of human motivation that was proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943. The theory suggests that humans have five basic needs that must be met in order to achieve their full potential. These needs are arranged in a pyramid, with the most fundamental and essential ones at the bottom and the most complex and abstract ones at the top. The five needs are:

– **Physiological needs**: These are the basic requirements for survival, such as food, water, air, shelter, clothing, and sleep. Without these needs met, humans cannot function properly and may even die.
– **Safety needs**: These are the needs for security, stability, order, protection, and freedom from fear, anxiety, and chaos. These needs also include having a reliable income, health care, insurance, and a safe environment.
– **Social needs**: These are the needs for belonging, love, affection, intimacy, friendship, and acceptance. Humans are social animals and need to feel connected and valued by others.
– **Esteem needs**: These are the needs for self-respect, self-confidence, competence, achievement, recognition, and respect from others. These needs also involve having a sense of status, prestige, and power.
– **Self-actualization needs**: These are the needs for personal growth, fulfillment, creativity, self-expression, and realizing one’s true potential. These are the highest and most difficult needs to satisfy, as they require continuous learning and development.

According to Maslow, humans must satisfy the lower-level needs before they can move on to the higher-level ones. For example, one cannot pursue self-actualization if one is starving or homeless. However, Maslow also acknowledged that the hierarchy is not rigid or fixed, and that humans may experience different levels of needs at different times and situations. Moreover, he later added a sixth need at the top of the pyramid: **self-transcendence**. This is the need to go beyond oneself and connect with something greater than oneself, such as a higher power, a cause, or humanity as a whole.

How can Maslow’s hierarchy of needs help us in our personal growth and development? Here are some ways:

– It can help us identify our current level of needs and what we need to do to satisfy them. For example, if we feel lonely or isolated, we may need to work on our social needs by joining a club or making new friends. If we feel bored or unfulfilled, we may need to work on our self-actualization needs by pursuing a hobby or a passion.
– It can help us set realistic and attainable goals that match our level of needs. For example, if we are struggling with our physiological or safety needs, we may not be ready to pursue a PhD or start a business. Instead, we may need to focus on finding a stable job or improving our health first.
– It can help us appreciate what we have and what we have achieved. For example, if we have met our basic needs and have a comfortable life, we may need to be grateful for our blessings and not take them for granted. We may also need to recognize our accomplishments and celebrate our successes.
– It can help us aspire for more and challenge ourselves to grow. For example, if we have met our esteem needs and have a good reputation and status, we may need to avoid complacency and arrogance. We may also need to seek new opportunities and experiences that can enrich our lives and expand our horizons.

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is not a definitive or comprehensive model of human motivation. It has been criticized for being too simplistic, ethnocentric, individualistic, and idealistic. However, it is still a useful framework that can guide us in our journey of personal growth and development.

Works Cited

Desautels L (2014) Addressing Our Needs: Maslow Comes to Life for Educators
and Students [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/addressing-our-needs-maslow-hierarchy-lori-desautels research essay writing service.

Harper H (2021) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs… And His Big Revision [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.thecareerproject.org/blog/maslows-hierarchy-of-needs/

Trakstar (2016) Ascending Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs with a Performance Review System [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.trakstar.com/blog-post/ascending-maslows-hierarchy-of-needs-with-a-performance-review-system/

Well T (2021) Using Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs to Discover What Motivates You [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-clarity/202106/using-maslows-hierarchy-needs-discover-what-motivates-you

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