A multi-dimensional measure of Maslow's hierarchy of needs ☆

Abstract A tool assessing position within Maslow's hierarchy of needs is presented. The Maslowian Assessment Survey (MAS) taps the safety, belonging, and esteem levels of the hierarchy with the following subscales for each of the three levels: (a) need gratification, (b) need importance, (c) need salience, (d) self-concept (i.e., how much one is like a prototypical person at each level). Correlational data, gathered in a series of four studies, supported the reliability and validity of these subscales. Combining the four samples ( N = 612), the MAS exhibited a Cronbach's α (averaged across subscales) of .89. With a subsample of 88, the subscales exhibited an average 6-week test-retest correlation of .83. As to validity evidence, safety self-concept correlated positively with depression and neuroticism and negatively with self-esteem, dominance, and desirability. Belonging selfconcept was negatively related to self-esteem and autonomy, while being positively related to neuroticism, depression, social recognition, and affiliation. An esteem level self-concept was positively related to self-acceptance, autonomy, dominance, and (inconsistently across studies) desirability. Across all three levels of the hierarchy, degree of need gratification was found to be positively related to selfesteem and negatively related to neuroticism and depression.

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