http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo_250X250.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Background_1024X576.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Banner_686X60.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Half-Banner_234X60.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo_250X250 http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Logo-Watermark_250X250.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Background_1024X576.jpg http://www.bigthink.com/adobe/Half-Banner-ALT_234X60.jpg Bigthink - User Ideas Feed Bigthink http://www.bigthink.com/feed/rss/user/9511 Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:40:51 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 Can you buy happiness? http://www.bigthink.com/love-happiness/9098 Bigthink Mon, 24 Mar 2008 22:03:15 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/love-happiness/9098 Maslow was wrong http://www.bigthink.com/love-happiness/4546 Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a theory by Abraham Maslow that states that humans have five basic needs: psychology, safety, love/belonging, esteem and self-actualization. These needs are arranged in a hierarchy where the higher needs come into focus when lower needs are satisfied.

While Maslow's theory makes intuitively sense in our western culture there is no scientific evidence to support such hierarchy. Maslow supposedly rethought his theory at the end of his life. Even though the theory lacks scientific support it is very common in psychology textbooks and many people are exposed to it.

I personally think it is an ill-conceived concept that limits people in their struggle to live fullfilled lives. It gives people the idea that happiness depends on satisfying needs. In reality people overestimate the impact of satisfying a need due to something called impact bias. I think that the struggle of satisfying needs and avoiding pain is a major source of unhappiness in our society today. I think it is time that we get rid of Maslow's theory.]]> Bigthink Thu, 17 Jan 2008 05:29:23 +0100 http://www.bigthink.com/love-happiness/4546