Maslow's First Level, sex?

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Specializes in Paramedic 15 years, RN now.

I get the whole maslow thing. The first level is stuff you MUST have to survive, air, water, food, excretion..... But how is sex included in that list? I have gone a year without sex and....I'm still alive.....

Seems like it should be in the "love and belonging" category...

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Really bro..you are seriously asking this..lil creepy

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Specializes in PACU, OR.

Ummm....I recall Maslow's hierarchy of needs, but what I don't recall is that sex is listed as one of the basic needs.

Unless, of course, as in procreation. From that point of view, it is an essential need. For example, if your parents never had sex, you most definitely would not be alive :D

Congratulations on practising safe sex. (CC-D's definition of safe sex; either no sex at all, or sex with yourself..)

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My guess is you didn't just generate this on your own? A professor or a text book indicated that it should go at the base?

It goes with love and belonging.

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Specializes in SN - Graduating December, 2012.

I just finished Psych: Personality Theory, and yes, sex is listed in my textbook at the base (a basic need). I am also currently taking Psych: Human Sexuality, and after studying the two, I figure it belongs in the "basic needs" category. Basic needs is not just what you as an individual needs to survive, but what the species as a whole needs to not just survive, but thrive. Therefore, no sex, no reproduction...no reproduction, no human species. Just keep in mind, it's someone's theory, and not a proven fact.

Further, in my humble opinion, sex does not necessary equal love and/or belonging and that is why it is not placed in there in Maslow's Heirachy of Needs (at least it's what I assume). He suggests that intimacy is not equated with sex, and therefore, sex is a basic need.

Good luck with whatever psych you are studying... Personality Theory was a lot of ground to cover.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Sex is actually on Maslow's Hierarchy twice...in the basic needs category (obviously sex is a basic need in order to procreate) and in the love/belonging category.

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If it is on Maslow's hierarchy twice, then I am in sad shape.

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Sex is actually on Maslow's Hierarchy twice...in the basic needs category (obviously sex is a basic need in order to procreate) and in the love/belonging category.

From the macro level that's surely true. But as far as looking at this concept as it relates to our patients, this does NOT occur at the base.

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Sex is on the Maslow triangle...and it's under basic physiologic needs. I don't know why either, unlike what some think you don't NEED it to survive. Maslow was probably a typical horny fellow and threw it in the list, lol.

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I'm *shockingly* going to disagree with a shrink just this once. ;)

I'm annoyed that sex is in the same level of need as eating and peeing. Come ON. And I refuse to acknowledge it because it's BUNK. So there. Lets hope that question doesn't come up for me on an exam, because I'm taking one for the team out of principle. :D

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

I agree, not a primary need equal to nutrition. Don't forget that the world was once known to be flat.

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Specializes in Emergency.

I was prereading my Fundamentals book just yesterday and noticed the same thing. Sex IS listed as the base needs along with air/food etc. I found it odd!

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