“I mean what is the psychology behind it? Are there any good books or websites or scholastic databases where I can research it?
And as much as I love funny answers, please try to take this seriously.”
Why Do People Strive To Achieve Success?
Categories: Motivation |
Tags: achieve, psychology, strive, Success | 
5 Comments »
For glory. You want to be remembered after you’re dead cause life is so short. Also, you want material pleasures to enjoy life.
Maslow postulated that needs are arranged in a hierarchy in terms of their potency. Although all needs are instinctive, some are more powerful than others. The lower the need is in the pyramid, the more powerful it is. The higher the need is in the pyramid, the weaker and more distinctly human it is. The lower, or basic, needs on the pyramid are similar to those possessed by non-human animals, but only humans possess the higher needs.
The first four layers of the pyramid are what Maslow called “deficiency needs” or “D-needs:” the individual does not feel anything if they are met, but feels anxious if they are not met….. Needs beyond the D-needs are “growth needs,” “being values,” or “B-needs.” When fulfilled, they do not go away; rather, they motivate further.
The base of the pyramid is formed by the physiological needs, including the biological requirements for food, water, air, and sleep.
Once the physiological needs are met, an individual can concentrate on the second level, the need for safety and security. Included here are the needs for structure, order, security, and predictability.
The third level is the need for love and belonging. Included here are the needs for friends and companions, a supportive family, identification with a group, and an intimate relationship.
The fourth level is the esteem needs. This group of needs requires both recognition from other people that results in feelings of prestige, acceptance, and status, and self-esteem that results in feelings of adequacy, competence, and confidence. Lack of satisfaction of the esteem needs results in discouragement and feelings of inferiority.
Finally, self-actualization sits at the apex of the original pyramid.
‘Maslow theorized that unfulfilled cognitive needs can become redirected into neurotic needs. For example, children whose safety needs are not adequately met may grow into adults who compulsively hoard money or possessions (see[3]). Unlike other needs, however, neurotic needs do not promote health or growth if they are satisfied.
References :
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham_Maslow
Psyengin… I love your Maslow explanation. I actually looked up the Wiki and found that he lived in Brooklyn. Any book you can recommend?
Otherwise, even if you consider mine a funny explanation, striving to be on top must be in our genes. I am always fascinated watching the frogs they sell in Chinatown. Usually at a fishmonger’s stand you see them thrown in a bucket of water. Climbing on top of each other and gasp for air is the only way to survive. The ones who don’t have the energy anymore to stick their head up will drown.
A less dramatic version of this frog pattern must be still in our behavior. To be “on top’ is still a safer place to be.
Death. Once we realize that life is short and one day we are going to die we look to fulfill our time here with something meaningful and satisfying.
I am sorry I don’t have any direct sources but M. Scott Peck has written a lot about the topic of the meaning of life and human desires. There is a website that lists all of his books or you can look him up on amazon.
I know this is a social psychological issue so maybe you can search in that direction. There is a psychinfo website that I think is http://www.psychinfo.com but you may need a password. Keep searching and I know you will find something.
Some people’s idea of success is about money and material possessions. Other people think about their art, music, writing, acting, etc. as their form of success (and many of those have little money). Everyone is driven to succeed at something, but keep in mind that it does not have to be about money at all.