Coming from a European/US cultural worldview, the Hierarchy of Needs (Maslow, 1943) has been used as a model in counselling since the 1970s.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
Maslow's model is useful for counsellors to understand their client's life experiences, current or past, to be able to guide them to advance to higher levels in order to reach at least a level of esteem that is not detrimental to their lives. This model may be relevant in it's parentage countries however an example where I can draw from is my Korean heritage where employment, resources, and property in the "safety needs" is classes higher and more synonymously to the "esteem" portion as it denotes respect, status, and recognition. "Self actualisation" is lesser and contribution to society and family is more important in the heirarchy of needs
1. In my opinion, I think that this framework is although simple it is a very effective framework. Having a visual framework that completely breaks down the needs of a human being then helps us see the bigger picture of where our needs are at.
I feel this is a reciprocated framework for counsellors and clients. It can open powerful spaces of self-reflection. When counsellors are able to identify and acknowledge where their needs are and if they are being met, when a counsellor's needs are met it can then allow them to hold space for the clients. For clients, it gives a better understanding of their wellbeing, having it in bite sized pieces then allows them to understand how pillars of our wellbeing overlap and influence each other. From there it can then enhance the want to action the need. Either way, this framework is a gentle and powerful way of allowing us to hold accountability for our own wellbeing, it portrays the importance of keeping our foundation stable and everything else that aligns will then follow.
2. The core intent of the model will absolutely work across cultures. In my learnings in my mahi with this framework, it shows us that it is human nature to connect. This model is a way of showing us on how to connect with ourselves and work through our levels of healing and wellness. Every culture I have worked with so far connects to this model, the only difference is learning how to shift the language, intention and understanding. On a deeper level, when we can adapt this model to the processes of each culture it can then allow them to thrive. We all come from a long line of ancestors, this model is helping us to return back to that.
It is useful to counsellors and clients because it provides structured framework for understanding human needs, motivation and well-being.
It can help the counsellor and client identify which needs may be unmet, and to discuss or address these needs in their sessions. It can also help clients evaluate if they feel their needs fit the model, or if they see/feel things a different way. It could also be useful for helping clients see that it is ok to fluctuate between levels at different times in life.
It provides a good basic understanding and can be applied to many Western cultures, but may be limiting to other cultures and identities. As other students have reflected on, many other cultures have differing emphasis on the importance of the listed needs.
Because it may present indicators of what needs havn't been met and thus are affecting other aspects of their lives.
I think to a degree it is applicable across other cultures, but it depends on the individual. Some buddhist cultures for example, (although still have a base need to eat), will also deem other needs like enlightenment or peace more important than sustenance. Additionally, some Pasifika cultures may prioritize connection, love and family over other needs like wealth or assets.
Maslows Model is useful for the counsellor to help the client assess where they are in their lives at that time. It simplifies how important a strong foundation of basic and necessary human needs, before you can transcend to another level. But once you achieve self actualization, it does not mean you stay there. It may fluctuate at any time. As we well know with Covid, life can shift easily. You maybe lost your job or separated from your spouse for examples. Trying to carry on and not addressing the issue could create feelings of being overwhelmed or lost. The Maslow model can break it down to basics and help the client rebuild.
This model would be effective in most cultures. In my opinion, some Maori & Pasifika would benefit from this model as many may still be suffering the consequences of colonisation. They may still be living in survival mode, while struggling to achieve the other tiers. Not to mention their cultural beliefs of seeking advice from the Kōmatua or Village Chief or even becoming one. The level of respect has to be taken into consideration. Especially in group scenarios.
1. It gives a foundational insight, to then an in-depth insight of the psyche of an individual. A blueprint if you will, that can be relatable to EVERY single person. Just like how everyone needs sleep, everyone has these core values and principles in some way or another in their lives. Having this Model as counsellors is in a way getting to know the formula before we give out the medicine. Helps us as Counsellors have a wide range perspective so we can clearly identify where a person is feeling that missing element in their life etc.
2. I think it is a worldwide relatable model. OfCourse in different cultural perspectives this model will have to mended and molded to be culturally appropriate, but everyone has these boxes they want to tick. from survival, to having a sense of belonging.
e.g. A man who grew up in the city would maybe want to feel wanted and accepted in their corporate job and later become a CEO. While a man who grew up in the Islands may want to feel accepted by their Village and later become a Matai (Chief). Different environment? Yes. But it's a not so different perspective.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients? It helps offer a baseline indication of the clients needs at that moment in time which means the conversation and strategies can be tailored appropriately ie. it is individual needs based rather than a one size fits all approach. In turn, the client feels heard and understood which builds trust within the counselling relationship.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures. I believe the model would work well across all cultures as it is needs based as opposed to being based around a specific culture, ethnicity or belief system. In essence we all have the same fundamental needs around our physical and mental wellbeing.
Why I think this model is useful to Counsellors and our clients is that it gives us insight on where to start our counselling journey. For example if they don’t have their survival needs met and their safety needs met they will struggle to fix their other needs such as love and belonging and esteem and so on.
I feel that the model will work effectively across all cultures as it is very flexible and focuses on what every human needs not a particular race, belief or background.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
This model is useful because it provides a strong foundation for building trust, understanding, and empathy between the counsellor and the client. It encourages counsellors to be genuine, show unconditional positive regard, and really listen without judgment. This creates a safe space for clients to open up and explore their thoughts and emotions, which is key to healing and growth.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures?
The core values of this model, respect, empathy, and acceptance, can work well across cultures, but they need to be applied with cultural sensitivity. For example, in Māori, Pasifika, and many Asian cultures, concepts like whānau, collective identity, and respect for elders or traditions are important. Counsellors need to adapt the model to honour these values, possibly involving family in sessions or understanding spiritual beliefs.
1. Personally, I consider that Maslow's model of understanding of the Human Development is a beneficial guideline to help the Counsellor approach the client in a complex and holistic way. It provides us with a framework that's an opportunity to comprehend the person that it is sitting on front of us, as a whole. We can investigate what personal needs are required to reach their personal growth.
Besides that, this Theoretical Model, can be an essential tool to support the clients now days, because we live in a society that overuses technology and social media, that can make people feel isolated and expressing individualism. Maslow refers that a person that is able to satisfy their basic needs, is a person able to transcend in their relationship with the world. A person that reaches the state of Self Actualization is able to focus their energy in the service of others to create a oneness and sense of community.
2. I think it can work very well, because Maslow talk about being able to satisfice basic needs in order to escalate in the pyramid of personal growth in a community. This model can be beneficial for cultural minorities, because give as an attempt to make their needs visible, especially the sense of belonging in a western society. Understanding their need it's the way to celebrate and embrace the cultural differences in order to create unity in the society. People that get their needs meet it's able to contribute, support others and motivate them to seek out their own needs.
Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I think the model is a useful tool for counsellors because it helps both the counsellor and the client clearly identify the client’s needs and values. It provides a structured way to prioritise these needs and see where they might not be fully met.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Māori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I believe the model can be effective across different cultures. The fundamental human needs may be shared, but prioritised in various ways across cultures. The strength of the model lies in its flexibility, how it can be adapted for each culture to ascertain what their needs and values are.
1. Personally, I think Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is helpful in counselling because it gives us a place to start. It helps us look at what the client might need at a basic level first — like physical wellbeing, safety, or security — before going into deeper emotional or personal issues. Physical wellbeing is something that everyone can relate to, and often it’s one of the first things affected when someone is going through a hard time.
I also think the levels in the model aren’t really separate — they’re all connected. For example, if someone is emotionally struggling, it can affect their physical health, motivation, self-esteem, and even their sense of purpose. So while the model looks like a step-by-step hierarchy, I see it more like a circle where everything influences everything else. It helps counsellors and clients look at the bigger picture and understand that emotional and physical wellbeing are deeply linked.
2. I think Maslow’s model can be useful, but it really depends on the cultural background of the person. It was made from a Western point of view, where individual goals and personal growth are seen as the highest need. But in many cultures — like Māori, Pasifika, or Asian — things like family, community, and spirituality are just as important, or even more important, than individual goals.
I believe the levels in the model could be understood in a more culturally adaptive way. Not everyone follows the same order of needs. For example, someone might feel a strong sense of purpose or spiritual wellbeing even if their physical needs aren’t greatly met, because their culture gives them strength in other ways. I think it’s important for counsellors to keep an open mind and be aware that every person’s values and priorities might be different, depending on where they come from and what’s important to them.
1. I think it would give you a great base to start from. We would know what areas the client needs help in. It would open the door to healing.
2. The Hierarchy of Needs I believe would still be a good tool. Different cultures may need different elements brought in, to ensure you are covering all the different elements culturally and religiously etc
Maslow’s model is a helpful way to guide us in figuring out where someone might need support and how to prioritise the areas needing immediate attention.
But since it comes from a Western perspective, it doesn’t always fit with the values or lived experiences of all people. It would be more effective to be guided by other models which are more holistic and culturally appropriate or use them in tandem with Maslow's model.
Amelia.
1. I think Maslow's model would be useful for counsellors and their clients as it provides an overall structure of human needs. This model could provide useful insight into what aspect of a client's life would be most useful to work on at the time.
2. The modern representation of Maslow's model seems to be a bit hierarchical and individualistic, which probably wouldn't align with indigenous cultures. I do wonder if the self-transcendence layer was included, and if it was represented in a more interconnected way, if it would feel more aligned with non-western cultures. In saying this, I think it could still be useful across different cultures if there was some awareness of cultural differences and the ability to change how it was represented depending on the culture of the client.
1. I think it's a good tool to gauge where a clients at in life and where to start with therapy!
2. I think this model would work around different cultures but possibly in some cultures the Hierarchy maybe different.
I think this model is useful for clients and counsellors as to see where the client may feel what area they are not satisfied in or having trouble in. Whether it be physically with their health or even battling spiritually or other mental impacts. Its a good starter to see where the client feels they may need some guidance or support in.
I think this model can be adjusted to suit all cultures, baring in mind that other cultures may place different things in a different order, I think being aware and conscious of that, this model can still work if the counsellor is able to be flexable and understandable.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I can see how this model could be useful to ascertain where your client is at, enabling you to move with your client up the model. If someone dosen't have enough food or accomodation then they will have issues to work through first.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I think this would work across different cultures, if it was reworded to reflect the importance of a specific culture to make it relevant to the cultures belief.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
This model is useful because it helps to establish what a clients current baseline is and what their next steps might be. There would be no point in aiming towards the attributes of self actualisation as a next step for a client who's environment is unsafe therefore not meeting their need for safety. In other words it can help the counsellor recognise and prioritise what the clients immediate needs might be before moving up the scale.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
This model appears to apply to human nature in general, however current socio-economic factors that disadvantage any group will potentially make it more difficult to progress out of the basic needs of the first two tiers. ie: intergenerational unemployment makes it more difficult to break the cycle and find work. If I'm honest I have a lot to learn about cultural differences, but I do feel in many cases cultures such as Maori/Pasifika often have more strength in the love and belonging tier, where they often have stronger connections to extended family and their community.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I think this model is useful for our clients because of the stages, for me seeing each one, will help me elaborate more on the topic. It'll be a good way to start a discussion and help the flow of the conversation going.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I dont think this model will work across all cultures. Some might find it hard to even talk about oneself let alone feelings. It could however work, if we worded it differently to suit all cultures.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I think it is useful in portraying the components that must be in place in order for an individual to be motivated to become their best self. It is easily communicated and understood and can help identify areas in a client's life that may need to be addressed before they can pursue self-actualisation and self-satisfaction
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I think this model may be less applicable outside of a Eurocentric Individualistic worldview. In more collectivist cultures, people may prioritise their family, community or spiritual obligations. Even in an European or US context, we can still gain benefit from having love and esteem etc without having basic needs and security fulfilled adequately.
1. I think this model can be a helpful visual tool to show, some aspects of the self can only flourish when other needs are successfully being met. It can also help understand our basic needs as humans, and show that we all share these. It can help the client to express their current state and the wished for outcome. For some it may also be used as motivation and looked at again after a certain amount of time to see how far someone has come and celebrate this.
2. I think there are valuable ideas for us humans all around the globe, in this model. As cultures are so rich of beautiful diversity, I could imagine using this as an interactive model, to have the possibility of changing the displayed hierarchy to visualize different priorities, values and beliefs.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
It is a useful tool for both the counsellor and the client because it helps provoke thought, discussion and positioning about where the client feels they are at in their life. This then opens a pathway and enables both the counsellor and the client to work on areas of the clients life that will enable personal growth and move up the scale of needs.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
In some cultures the idea of individual needs in relation to human success or happiness may be different and it may be that human success and happiness is achieved through a community or family scale of needs instead of individual. In these situations this model may harder to use or less relevant.
This model helps us understand what someone might be missing or struggling with. It provides counsellors with an idea of where to focus, while also helping clients make sense of their own experiences. It is a straightforward way to begin meaningful conversations and figure out the next steps together.
Wellbeing is viewed differently across cultures, and this model is western focused, highlighting individual growth. From a Māori perspective, wellbeing is about balance across physical, spiritual, mental, and social health, as shown in Te Whare Tapa Whā. Each culture has its own practices around wellbeing, so viewing these ideas through a Māori lens makes them more relevant and respectful.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
This can be a useful tool for a counsellor as it provides indicators for where the whai ora is at circumstantially, also, by using motivational questioning, this allows the whai ora to establish a foundation that the whai ora can then start to build upon.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
This tool may not work across many cultures, but it is a tool that can be used as a starting point to get an indication of where the whai ora may be at from a westernized scope and then by introducing other holistic culturally based models such as 'Fono Fale' or 'Te Whare Tapa Wha' may be optional depending on the whai oras needs/ wants/ desired end result.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs is a useful tool as it helps set the scene for where a client currently sees themselves and identifies barriers that are impacting their lives. This enables the Counsellor to explore with their client their barriers and together they can make structured progress to achieve the desired state.
I think this model is a good starting point to identify the client’s current situation, but the Counsellor must be aware that different cultures place different importance on different needs. When working with a variety of cultures other models or resources may be better suited to clients who do not prioritise individual needs.
Why I think this Model is a good tool: It gives you as a counsellor some insight as to where the client 'is at'. It could be a great tool for guiding open-ended questions to further find out what's important to the client, possible blind spots or maybe where their needs are not being met or being overlooked. I'd say this is a good model to get a bird's eye view of a client and their physical and holistic environments.
Cross Culture View: Again, it seems like a good base to really get into who your client is, it reminds me of Bronfenbrenner's ecological system theory. I would never assume that what my physiological or safety needs are, are the same as everyone else's. For example; my ideas and needs around what resources or love and belonging look like are different to my partner's. I think working with people from a holistic principle, being guided by such models, adds value to your time and getting to know your clients.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
This model can be used to determine where the client is sitting in their current state/life in general. It can open discussions up and provide an overall picture of different areas of their life, areas where they feel satisfied/dissatisfied. It can also be used to create an awareness of the different needs of a client, for example the top tier of self actualisation where a client can find motivation/growth and their true purpose.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
As it's based on an individual and their needs it works well in that area. The tiers around connection/ safety/ belonging would fit in well with cultural identity and establishing where an individual feels they sit within their community. Are their needs being met or is there need/want for deeper connection, exploration and growth as part of their individual and cultural identity.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients? 1 feel that Maslson’s Hierarchy of needs is very useful to counsellors and their clients because it allows a counsellor to set a foundation to start their client journey into self discovery. Everyone journey starts with a single step but we all start at different locations along the highway of life. Some people need to first pack a bag of things that help them survive while others already have a bag packed with survival things but need a map to things to add to their bag eg love and affiliation and then maybe they need some self esteem or self worth. As a counsellor we will be there to help lighten their load if needed or to help them to acquire skills and supplies that help them along there journey 2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I think this model would work well with indigenous people because even though they work with a more communal family or village base approach to life in general we all still walk our own journeys . If you allow our village of people to walk along side us to help heal and offer strength it can only be of benefit to our clients and our selves. You can be raised in the same family but every persons view of a situation or an experience is different. As a counsellor we must have an open mind to every different cultural belief system and formulate these models to adapt to them so we can other the best out come to each individual person journey
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I believe this model is valuable for counselors and their clients because it helps individuals better understand their needs and how those needs contribute to their overall well-being. It provides a useful framework for identifying where a client is currently positioned, which can serve as a starting point for deeper conversations. This approach can guide the counselor and client in discussing ways to move forward and make meaningful progress.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
This model can be applicable across cultures, but it’s important to recognize that the definition of success and what is considered 'enough' varies from culture to culture. In Western societies, success is often associated with materialistic and capitalistic ideals, in contrast most indigenous cultures are seen as more holistic so differences here may be more apparent epically when it comes to interactions with others in ones own community.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
This model could be a useful catalyst to spark conversations between a client and counsellor about the client's current state and their desired state. The model provides a tool for exploring the interplay between our physical, environmental and psychological needs. The pyramid form illustrating the larger foundational needs through to the apex of self-actualisation is likely to be familiar and approachable to a broad audience.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
The lowest section include universal needs for all people that would be relevant in all cultures. The 'safety' layer includes 'employment', 'property' and 'personal security'. These concepts may be counter to collectivist cultures where the group's needs come before the individual's and there is less personal property. The 'Love and Belonging' layer includes universal needs that are likely the result of evolutionarily successful traits. The genes of those that could attract a mate and maintain relationships would have been passed on due to the survival advantage. At layer four, ' Esteem', and five, 'Self-Actualisation' there is a clear bias toward the values of an individualistic culture where the self is at the centre of one's life rather than playing a role within a larger function.
I think the Maslow's Hierarchy of needs is a helpful model in counselling with its emphasis on a persons basic, physiological needs, sitting at the bottom of the motivational level scale, with my nursing background in mind, it makes sense to me that human rights/needs such as fresh air, water, good nutrition, healthy homes, adequate sleep/rest, clothing and the opportunity to create/ be apart of a family are very important aspects to cover prior to the above motivational levels.
I think this model is quite basic and probably does not quite fit across all cultures as different cultures may find love and belonging more important than safety needs for example.
Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I think that this model is very useful for clients and counsellors by creating a framework of the average minimum requirements for a self actualized human. This allows people to become more self aware in areas in which they are lacking and also being able to visualize and appreciate the areas which are fulfilled.
How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I think that the model would work reasonably well for a lot of different cultures. However, i believe that it would work better in the form of a circle, rather than a hierarchical graph. This is because some cultures are less individualized than what is taught through the western world view. The idea of self-transcendence which is missing from the model is also a very crucial aspect for many indigenous cultures and an understanding of this would be necessary before being able to fully harness the potential of this model in a therapeutic practice of indigenous peoples.
In my view Maslow’s model can be a helpful framework for counseller and client to identify stressors and barriers that the client is facing at this point in their life. It gives a helpful visualization and shared language to communicate effectively and establish “where the client is currently at”, as a starting point and also as an outlook, what they are striving towards. From here priorities and strategies can be put in place to work towards fulfilling foundational needs and conditions to eventually (or simultaneously) “move up the pyramid” towards personal growth goals.
The model, in its rigid form, has inherent cultural biases as needs are prioritized through a western, individualized lens. It assumes the “individualized self” exists separate from and above the collective, it places spirituality at the tip of the pyramid and doesn’t consider the interconnectedness of all as for example in te ao Māori.Whilst there are universal human needs, the model has to be re-thought across cultures in its stacking and as a general model.
Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
I think Maslow's model is a useful example for counsellors because it helps understand the client and built a relationship of connection with them. This model can give counsellors a fair idea of how the client is and how they can help them overcome situations.
How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
Maslow's model can work effectively across all cultures, but it also plays a role in different beliefs and values for cultures
It allows us to understand where our client is at the time we see them. If the bottom layers of the pyramid are not met then someone will not be able to thrive. As we work out where our clients sit we will be able to give them the most affective help.
This model can be used across all cultures as basic human needs are the same, however in some cultures, an individuals needs may not always be prioritized in the way that the pyramid shows – church/belonging may be more important to a culture than how a person might “feel”.
According to me this model plays a very vital role in counselling because it helps the counsellors to understand what a person needs in order to grow, heal, and feel well. It helps counsellors and clients work together to improve well-being step by step starting with the most basic needs. Moreover, it supports the idea that people want to grow and improve, which fits well with the goals of counselling.
I think Maslow's model promotes individual freedom and personal growth, but in many Asian culture's needs may come before individual ones. Success is often measure by how a person helps their family or society not just by achieving personal goals.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
Maslow's model is a tool that can be used to simplify, (both visually and verbally) the complexities of human nature, therefore aiding the counsellor to identify, expand upon and discuss areas within the pyramid with the client.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
Maslow's model can be applied effectively across different cultures; however, each subheading may hold a different weight of prioritisation. For example, resources or health may not be readily available, but without this can love and belonging still be built on a solid foundation?
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
Its useful because you can easily identify which level you are currently on with your client. The model itself is significant because it allows you to know exactly whats next, this way you can prepare in advance how to approach the next session.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
I think it would be effective because it starts with survival mode. Coming into an unfamiliar space and in many cases as an indigenous person, it is not normal to speak and share outside your 'normal circle', this can be scary and overwhelming. As you continue your sessions with your client, trust will slowly develop and the layers can begin to peel away. When this happens, you should be able to identify which levels you can tick off.
1. I think this is a useful model for both counsellors and clients as it can be used as a visual tool that simplifies the interpretation of where one is currently in importance of their unique needs. As said, those needs could be from any of these levels and that the importance of those levels is constantly changing throughout ones life journey. For a counsellor to have a understanding of where their client is at in respect to these levels could help them fasciliate their approach to how they communicate and support their client. As for the client, if they have the opportunity to understand these levels, it may help in their personal growth as they can see where they're at and what their future desires for needs are.
2. I think all cultures have their own individual histories that define part of who they are. Those needs will be different because of their traditions and beliefs. But like said these different levels of needs aren't necessarily a pyramid, they're levels that cumulate to self-actualizing. So I feel it could be relevant to different cultures even if all don't believe in every aspect of each level, because it is about an individual. The individual might meet aspects of each level in repect with their culture and this would cumulate to their unique self-actualiziation.
This model is effective in the sense that it urges counsellors to consider a client's immediate needs and how they shape their current situation, highlighting the kind of support a client may need to live a life in which they flourish.
Each level builds on the previous. For instance, take us students living in a highly developed country and undergoing study; we each have our most basic, physiological and safety needs met, and most have either a partner, family or circle of friends which boost our feelings of self-esteem and connection. With these needs met, this can help to drive us to want to better our lives through further education, and thus helping people with the work we do. Studying can then support both the esteem and self-actualisation levels of this model, but we wouldn’t be here if the preceding levels were not met.
Since self-actualised people have a more positive outlook on life, including full acceptance of oneself, a desire to genuinely help others, a strong moral compass, and flexible resilience, supporting clients to reach this level could benefit their lives immensely.
This model still applies across cultures and can be a useful tool in understanding what kind of support a client needs, however different cultures have different needs and attitudes. Countries experiencing war will have a greater focus on physiological and safety needs than you and I.
From a different lens, indigenous Māori and Pacific cultures typically focus on ‘one’ as a community instead of an individual, so may focus on equity within groups as opposed to thriving for peace and success for yourself. (This is not to say becoming self-actualised is selfish, just that other things may be more of a focus.) They may also be driven more by familial connection, spiritual beliefs, and upholding their traditional ways of being. An example may be a family member becoming sick and someone reshaping their life to care for them as service is deeply ingrained in who they are.
At the end of the day, all cultural groups are just doing their best with the resources and views they have, and I think we each have a similar outlook and goal in wanting to be the best versions of ourselves, aiming to help people in whatever way we can. Other cultures may just exhibit things in their own way, potentially urging counsellors to refer to other frameworks alongside this model to best support them.
The hierarchy of needs proves useful to both counsellors and clients because it allows for the simplification of the complex human experience into a shared language. Not only does it have a verbal and written component, it’s also visual using the symbol of a pyramid to show that higher levels of needs to be build upon the lower levels.
I think that as a starting point of communication it would work well across cultures. It may identify the places where the counsellor and client differ in world views. It is an individualistic model that may not match perfectly with the concepts of whanau/family in Māori culture or collective responsibility that is common in Asian cultures.
1. It is a great tool to do a quick 'assessment' about where an individual is in his life within the Maslow's pyramid. It provides a picture about a person for the counsellor to might understand where challenges or misalignments might sit.
2.Other cultures are based on spiritualism, family/whanau focused and the idea of successes are different than to Maslow's 'westered' ideology. In many cultures, people find strengths through family, faith and identity and its not build up as in the step by step pyramid (or ladder) developed by Maslow. The focus might be on 'we' and not 'me'.
1. I think this model can be a helpful tool to understand where a person's main stressors come from and how to confront them based on where that person happens to fall on the scale at any given moment and provides a framework of what to look for next. Gives counsellors and clients an idea of what is ahead and what that looks like for each person.
2. I think (at least in Pasifika culture) there is much less individualism in non-western cultures and so there is always service for a highest good prevalent in most situations but it is more about respect, commonality and tradition than having reached a certain level of self-awareness that causes this to be at the forefront. Different approach similar outcome and outlook. However, I don't know how helpful it would be in a counselling situation for people in a non-western context
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients? I think it is useful for counsellors to recognise which level of need the client is at before proceeding to help them with service level issues. For example, a person struggling with their health may find it difficult to prioritise personal goals. this is good for the client to help them prioritise their needs based on the Maslow's Model.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Māori, Pasifika or Asian cultures. Polynesian and Asian cultures tend to prioritise community-based needs as a higher priority than individual need. this model focuses more on the individual need of the client therefor this model may not work for people within these cultures.
Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients?
The hierarchy of needs model is useful for counsellors as a guide to what immediate needs might needs to be addressed with the client. There is not much point in trying to help someone discover a career path if they don't have anywhere safe to sleep that night. I also gives clients a chance for to look at some simplified self-awareness.
How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures.
Unfortunately the model doesn't take into account how other cultures view the importance of each level and what it means to them. It would have to be used alongside other tools to ensure the counsellor is meeting the needs of each person as an individual.
1. Why do you think this model is so useful to counsellors and our clients? I think it's useful as it illustrates that a counsellor can ask questions to assess/consider what level(s) of the model the person might currently be at, depending upon their situation and focus their attention on issues arising for them, at that level. For example, if a client is struggling with issues of e.g. food insecurity and personal safety, the model suggests they may not be as focused on issues higher up the hierarchy.
2. How effectively do you think the model works across cultures? You might want to consider indigenous Maori, Pasifika or Asian cultures. The model does not take into account any cultural or spiritual/religious considerations - it's too simplistic from this perspective. If used, it would ideally be considered alongside other frameworks.