Hierarchy Of Needs Dbq

Since the beginning of civilization, man has always sought after wealth. The theory of wealth vs. happiness stands the test of time. The idea that the amount of wealth a man possesses correlates with his happiness is a common theory throughout many different countries. Although money cannot directly bring happiness, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs successfully supports the fact that there is a strong correlation between the amount of wealth that a human possesses and their level of happiness.

The theory behind Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is that once a person satisfies their most basic, physiological needs, they will move higher up in the hierarchy, eventually reaching the last tier of self actualization. As David Myers states, “We need food, rest, shelter, social contact” (Source B). The way to acquire the most basic human needs is through currency. In the majority of countries throughout

the world, currency is used to purchase food and shelter. As researchers have found, being well off does have an influence on a person’s overall well-being.
There is a need to possesses money to move higher up in the hierarchy of needs. Once a human passes the first tier, they are one step closer to happiness. Money is essential in passing the first tier in a first-world country, proving the correlation between wealth and happiness.
After moving through the physiological tier of the hierarchy of needs, humans move through the security tier, then they move into the belonging and esteem tiers. In the United States, the level of wealth that a person possesses has an effect on their political influence. Francis Klamm and a team of 17 researchers spent a numerous amount of time studying the correlation between wealth and political influence. “…Very wealthy people have more influence than somewhat wealthy people, who have more influence than middle-income people. And poor people have hardly any influence at all” (Source E). Klamm’s research strongly supports the theory that wealth correlates with political influence. The possession of a substantial amount wealth can give a human a higher status on its social ladder. The way to success and political status is through wealth in America. With political success comes the sense of belonging that’s stated in the hierarchy. Then, with the higher social and political positions, comes entitlement. Those higher in the ranks of politics have benefits such as large houses, security, and a sense of confidence and achievement. The sense of confidence felt by those in higher social positions are from the tier of esteem. Money allows those in places of power to move higher up the hierarchy to get closer to happiness. Maslow’s third and fourth tiers of the hierarchy of needs successfully supports the claim that money can bring happiness by showing that it is easier for those in positions of power to experience the senses of belonging and esteem.
Lastly, after the belonging and esteem tiers comes the final tier: self-actualization.

In Walden, Thoreau argues that “Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hinderances to the elevation of mankind” (Source F). In this quote, Thoreau states that there is a large difference between needs and wants. The physiological needs such as food and shelter are the necessities in life. It’s only when mankind finds the balance between needs and wants that one may be able to examine their inner riches. That mankind would finally be able to express its creativity. The inner potential that is present in the self-actualization tier. Money propels humanity through every tier of the hierarchy of needs, straight into the final need for enlightenment. With the fulfillment of all of the tiers of the hierarchy, comes the true happiness that Maslow’s studies sought after. It is evident that there is a correlation between wealth and happiness due to the propel that mankind receives from wealth to move through the hierarchy of

needs.
To conclude, money cannot directly buy happiness. However, money can give mankind what they need to move through, and reach the final tier of the hierarchy of needs. Money brings the physiological needs of food and shelter. Then, money can drive the sense of connection that comes with political influences and social status. Next, the esteem that is achieved through social status further thrusts humanity until they finally reach the final tier of self-actualization. In conclusion, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs successfully supports the fact that there is a strong correlation between the amount of wealth that a human possesses and their level of happiness.