Maslow’s Hierarchy & It’s Potential Applications
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is like the blueprint of human motivation, and when applied to social media, it explains a lot about why we scroll, post, and chase those digital thumbs-ups. Social media has cleverly woven itself into nearly every level of Maslow's pyramid, but it also tends to distort our pursuit of fulfillment, often leaving us stuck chasing the next dopamine hit instead of climbing toward self-actualization.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is like the blueprint of human motivation, and when applied to social media, it explains a lot about why we scroll, post, and chase those digital thumbs-ups. Social media has cleverly woven itself into nearly every level of Maslow's pyramid, but it also tends to distort our pursuit of fulfillment, often leaving us stuck chasing the next dopamine hit instead of climbing toward self-actualization.
Let’s break it down: At the base of the pyramid, we have physiological needs—food, water, shelter. Social media might not literally feed you, but platforms like Instagram and TikTok have become spaces where people showcase recipes, fitness hacks, and even survival tips. Moving up to safety needs, online communities and forums provide guidance on financial stability, mental health, and personal safety—although they’re also a hotbed for fear-mongering and misinformation, which can threaten the very security people seek.
Then we hit the sweet spot of belongingness and love needs. This is where social media thrives—or pretends to. Humans crave connection, and platforms like Facebook and Twitter give the illusion of meaningful relationships. The problem? Many of these connections are shallow, filtered, and tied to fleeting metrics like follower counts or engagement rates. Instead of fostering deep, genuine bonds, social media often amplifies feelings of loneliness and comparison.
As we climb to esteem needs, social media taps into our desire for recognition and respect. A well-liked post or a viral video can feel like validation, even power. But this stage is where the cracks in the system really show. The endless cycle of likes and comments doesn’t build lasting self-esteem—it builds dependency. We become more concerned with external validation than internal growth.
Finally, we reach self-actualization—the peak of the pyramid, where people strive to become their best selves. Here, social media can be both a tool and a trap. On one hand, it’s a powerful platform for sharing creative work, finding inspiration, and learning from diverse voices. On the other hand, the constant noise of algorithms and trends can drown out our inner voice, leaving us stuck in an echo chamber of what’s popular instead of what’s authentic.
To truly integrate Maslow's Hierarchy into a healthier relationship with social media, we need platforms—and users—to shift focus from exploiting these needs to empowering them. Imagine if algorithms prioritized genuine community-building or self-improvement content instead of sensationalism. What if platforms rewarded mindfulness and balance instead of endless engagement? At its best, social media could be a ladder up Maslow's pyramid. Right now, it’s often just a treadmill.
Works Cited
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Maslow, Abraham H. A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review, vol. 50, no. 4, 1943, pp. 370–396.
This is the foundational text outlining Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs and its psychological applications.
Twenge, Jean M., and W. Keith Campbell. The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Free Press, 2009.
This work delves into social media’s role in fueling external validation and esteem issues.
Haidt, Jonathan, and Greg Lukianoff. The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure. Penguin Press, 2018.
Discusses the impact of social media on belonging, esteem, and mental health in the context of Maslow's framework.
Orben, Amy, and Andrew K. Przybylski. "The Association Between Adolescent Well-being and Digital Technology Use." Nature Human Behaviour, vol. 3, no. 2, 2019, pp. 173–182.
A peer-reviewed article exploring the psychological effects of digital technology and social media.
Turkle, Sherry. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Basic Books, 2011.