Applying Principles of Communication Psychology Abraham Maslow 1 2 3 4 5 Applying Principles of Communication Psychology

Maslow’s Theory Most people will respond positively to messages that will meet their particular needs at particular times.

Ladder of Human Needs 1 2 3 4 5 Need to Help Others and Be Creative Need to Be Somebody Need to Belong Safety and Security Needs Basic Physical Needs

Rung 1 - Basic Physical Needs 2 3 4 5 Rung 1 - Basic Physical Needs Food, shelter, clothing – Until these needs are reasonably well met, we think of little else.

Rung 2 – Safety and Security Needs 1 2 3 4 5 Rung 2 – Safety and Security Needs Keeping free from physical harm or mental abuse, or from people who threaten our peace of mind.

Rung 3 – The Need to Belong 1 2 3 4 5 Rung 3 – The Need to Belong Most of us want to feel “part of a group.” Families, gangs, co-workers.

Rung 4 – The Need to Be “Somebody” 1 2 3 4 5 Rung 4 – The Need to Be “Somebody” We want to feel like we’re good at something. We feel pleased at recognition and have fed our egos.

Rung 5 – The Need to Help Others and Be Creative 1 2 3 4 5 Rung 5 – The Need to Help Others and Be Creative We help those struggling on the lower rungs. We become more creative, which makes life better for all around us.

What this means…. If we identify the levels of needs and relate them to our communication,we can phrase our message to meet those needs. This earns us the reaction we want…with no surprises!