Page 167 - 86 human physiology part-2

Chapter 19

People can get stuck on levels and some people may never reach certain levels because of
circumstances in their life. When one stage is fulfilled you naturally move to the next.

Physical or Physiological: These include shelter, oxygen, food, water, rest and elimination, all of
which are vital to a person's life and essential to survival.

Security or Safety: This involves not only actually being secure and safe, but also the feeling of
safety and security. This is something that people typically learn from their childhood and something
that helps lay the groundwork for developing other skills and moving up to the next step in the ladder.

Social (Love/Belonging): This involves developing friendships and eventually relationships. This
involves emotionally-based relationships in general, such as friendship, sexual intimacy, and having a
supportive and communicative family.

Esteem: This is where people learn to develop self-esteem and confidence. According to Maslow,
all humans have a need to be respected, to have self-respect, and to respect others. People need to
engage themselves in order to gain recognition and have an activity or activities that give the person a
sense of contribution, be it in a profession or hobby,

Self-Actualization: The highest level you can reach according to Maslow. Maslow writes the
following of self-actualizing people:

• They embrace the facts and realities of the world (including themselves) rather than
denying or avoiding them.
• They are spontaneous in their ideas and actions.
• They are creative.
• They are interested in solving problems; this often includes the problems of others. Solving
these problems is often a key focus in their lives.
• They feel a closeness to other people, and generally appreciate life.
• They have a system of morality that is fully internalized and independent of external
authority.
• They have discernment and are able to view all things in an objective manner. Prejudices
are absent.

In short, self-actualization is reaching one's fullest potential.

Most people accomplish the two lower levels in their lifetime, but may get stuck on upper levels.
While self-actualization is a useful concept to many, others insist there is no proof that every individual
has this capacity or even the goal to achieve it.

Menopause

Menopause occurs as the ovaries stop producing estrogen, causing the reproductive system to
gradually shut down. As the body adapts to the changing levels of natural hormones, vasomotor
symptoms such as hot flashes and palpitations, psychological symptoms such as increased depression,
anxiety, irritability, mood swings and lack of concentration, and atrophic symptoms such as vaginal
dryness and urgency of urination appear. Together with these symptoms, the woman may also have
increasingly scanty and erratic menstrual periods.

382 | Human Physiology