Maslow and the Environment: Integrating the Social Representation and the Theory of Needs

Abstract

In his Theory of Needs, Maslow argues that in the self- actualization stage the individual would have more developed B- values, which would involve, among other characteristics, the tendency to be mostly dedicated to causes of collective interest to the detriment of individual interests. It would also be in the self- actualization stage that the environment would have an intrinsic value, an important aspect if we consider the need for developing solutions to socio-environmental problems. Would the Social Representation of the environment have a relationship with the different stages of needs proposed by Maslow in his theory? Could the self-actualization stage reveal an individual with a globalizing representation of the environment? To answer these questions, an study was conducted with 134 participants adapting and using the Environmental Motivation Profile Test instrument and the results showed a significant correlation between the stage of self- actualization and a globalizing representation of the Environment.