--- title: "Maslow's theory and Laxmi Prasad Devkota" subject: "Organization and Management" chapter: 8 key: "semester_7/organization_and_management:maslow-devkota" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/organization_and_management/maslow-devkota site: BCT Engineering --- # Maslow's theory and Laxmi Prasad Devkota Organization and Management · Chapter 8: Motivation, Leadership and Entrepreneurship - Asked in: 2069 Chaitra, 2+3+3 marks - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_7/organization_and_management/maslow-devkota - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_7/organization_and_management/chapter-8 ## Question What do you mean by motivation? Describe Maslow's hierarchy of needs briefly. Can Maslow's theory explain the tireless quest of Laxmi Prasad Devkota for excellent literary works? ## Short answer Motivation is the inner force that drives goal-directed behavior. Maslow's hierarchy has five levels from physiological to self-actualization. Devkota's literary pursuit reflects self-actualization, but his work despite poor basic needs shows the hierarchy's strict order does not fully apply; he prioritized higher needs over lower ones. ## Answer #### Motivation Motivation is the inner force that arouses, directs and sustains human behaviour towards achieving goals. It arises when a person has an unsatisfied need and believes that effort can satisfy it. #### Maslow's hierarchy of needs (brief) Abraham Maslow said human needs form five levels and a higher need becomes active only when the lower one is reasonably satisfied. 1. **Physiological:** food, water, shelter, clothing. 2. **Safety:** job security, health, protection. 3. **Social:** love, belonging, friendship. 4. **Esteem:** respect, recognition, status. 5. **Self-actualization:** becoming what one is capable of; creativity and growth. ```text Self-actualization Esteem Social Safety Physiological ``` #### Can Maslow's theory explain Laxmi Prasad Devkota? Laxmi Prasad Devkota (Mahakavi, 1909-1959), author of Muna Madan, Shakuntala and Prometheus, continued writing great literature even though he often faced poverty, illness (he died of cancer) and financial insecurity. - **Partly yes:** His constant drive to create is a strong example of the self-actualization need: writing was the way he realised his full potential. He also sought esteem and recognition as a poet. - **But not fully:** Maslow's strict order says people first satisfy basic needs. Devkota worked at the highest level while basic and safety needs were poorly met, so the hierarchy does not strictly hold. Some people (artists, scientists, freedom fighters) place self-actualization before lower needs. Hence Maslow's theory explains the *type* of his motivation (self-actualization), but not the order. Other ideas, such as Herzberg (the work itself as a motivator) or Alderfer's ERG theory (needs can operate together, and growth can be pursued at any time), explain him better. ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. Which Maslow level best explains Devkota's drive to create literature? A. Physiological B. Safety C. Social D. Self-actualization Answer: D. Writing was how he realised his full potential, a self-actualization need. (Key point: Self-actualization) 2. Why does Maslow's theory not fully explain Devkota? A. He had no needs B. He worked at the highest level while basic and safety needs were poorly met, against the strict order C. He was not motivated D. He had no interest in recognition Answer: B. Maslow's strict order says lower needs come first, but Devkota pursued self-actualization despite poverty and illness. (Key point: Limit of theory) 3. What does the answer conclude about Maslow's theory here? A. It explains the order but not the type B. It explains neither C. It explains the type of motivation but not the order D. It explains both fully Answer: C. It explains the type (self-actualization) but not the order. (Key point: Conclusion) 4. Which theory allows growth to be pursued at any time, explaining Devkota better? A. Theory X B. Alderfer's ERG theory C. Vroom's theory D. Scientific management Answer: B. ERG theory says needs can operate together and growth can be pursued at any time. (Key point: Better explanations) ## Related in Organization and Management - [Motivation/needs and Maslow's hierarchy](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Amaslow-hierarchy) — Organization and Management, chapter 8, asked 2× - [Maslow's hierarchy vs Alderfer's ERG](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Amaslow-alderfer-erg) — Organization and Management, chapter 8 - [Motivation and Herzberg's hygiene theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Forganization_and_management%3Aherzberg-hygiene) — Organization and Management, chapter 8 ## Related in other subjects - [Motivation: Maslow's hierarchy and Herzberg's theory](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amotivation-maslow-herzberg) — Construction Management, chapter 10 - [Energy needs in Maslow's hierarchy](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Amaslow-energy-needs) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 1, asked 2× - [Maslow's hierarchy of needs](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_7%2Fenergy_environment_and_society%3Amaslow-hierarchy-describe) — Energy Environment and Society, chapter 1 - [Short note: Maslow's theory of motivation](https://www.bctengineer.com/question.md?key=semester_8%2Fconstruction_management%3Amaslow-theory-note) — Construction Management, chapter 10