Abraham Maslow proposed a hierarchy of needs to account for the range of human motivation. The base level in the hierarchy of needs is the physiological needs, pertaining to thirst, hunger, sleep and other drives necessary to the maintenance of life. Their needs must be adequately satisfied before higher ones can be considered.
If these requirements are reasonably satisfied, then the motivation for safety emerges, such as the needs for security, protection and freedom from danger.
If the physiological and safety needs are satisfied, the individual move up to another position in hierarchy, in which the psychological or social motives begin. At this point we find the motivation for love and belongingness, which includes having friends, a family, sexual relationship and membership in a group.
When the motivation for love and belongingness is achieved the individual is prompted to still another level, called self-esteem. It includes achievement, competence, approval, recognition, prestige status, etc.
Maslow was extremely interested in the highest level of his hierarchy, which he called self actualization. It is the fulfillment of our unique potentials. According to Maslow and other humanistic psychologists, it is the self initiated stirring to become what one is capable of being; the motive for, reaching ones full potential, for expressing ones unique capabilities. Self actualization which comes under the category of Meta needs.
In Abraham Maslows theory of personality, meta needs are the higher human needs which include justice, beauty, honor, order and self actualization. Metaneeds cannot be dealt with, according to the theory, until the pro-potent needs are fulfilled.
Ø Wholeness(unity)
Ø Perfection(harmony)
Ø Completion(ending)
Ø Justice(fairness)
Ø Uniqueness(individuality)
Ø Autonomy(self sufficiency)
