The behavior examples can be matched to categories of needs based on Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. The main categories are:
- Physical (Physiological) Needs: Basic needs like food, drink, sleep, sex, etc.
- Security (Safety) Needs: Protection from harm, job security, health, financial security.
- Social Needs (Love and Belongingness): Friendship, family, intimacy, social connection.
- Esteem Needs: Self-respect, achievement, recognition from others.
- Self-fulfillment (Self-actualization) Needs: Personal growth, realizing potential, challenging oneself.
For example:
- Eating lunch fulfills Physical needs.
- Refusing to work on an unsafe scaffold fulfills Security needs.
- Joining a bowling team fulfills Social needs.
- Asking to be assigned to a difficult job fulfills Self-fulfillment needs.
- Saving every payday fulfills Security needs.
- Sexual activity fulfills Physical needs.
This categorization helps understand motivation behind each behavior example and according to which need category it fulfills.