Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

Which of the following does Maslow's hierarchy of needs suggest?

1. Pay inequities will cause demotivation.

2. Positive reinforcement will enhance performance.

3. Higher task variety leads to greater job satisfaction.

4. Employees want to feel they belong.

The correct answer is: Employees want to feel they belong.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory that posits a five-tier model of human motivation, often depicted as a pyramid. At the base of the pyramid are physiological needs, followed by safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and finally self-actualization at the top. The fourth level, love and belonging needs, emphasizes the human desire for social connections, relationships, and a sense of belonging. Choosing the idea that employees want to feel they belong aligns perfectly with this theory. It highlights the importance of social interactions and a sense of community within the workplace, which is essential for motivating employees and enhancing their performance. When employees feel a sense of belonging, it can boost their morale, commitment, and overall job satisfaction, leading to a more engaged and productive workforce. In contrast, the other options, while relevant to workplace motivation and performance, do not directly stem from the principles outlined in Maslow's hierarchy. Concepts such as pay inequities resulting in demotivation, the impact of positive reinforcement on performance, and the effects of task variety on job satisfaction are important in the context of motivation theories but do not specifically relate to the fundamental need for belonging as positioned in Maslow's framework.