<P> "What a man can be, he must be ." This quotation forms the basis of the perceived need for self - actualization . This level of need refers to what a person's full potential is and the realization of that potential . Maslow describes this level as the desire to accomplish everything that one can, to become the most that one can be . Individuals may perceive or focus on this need very specifically . For example, one individual may have the strong desire to become an ideal parent . In another, the desire may be expressed athletically . For others, it may be expressed in paintings, pictures, or inventions . As previously mentioned, Maslow believed that to understand this level of need, the person must not only achieve the previous needs, but master them . </P> <P> In his later years, Abraham Maslow explored a further dimension of needs, while criticizing his own vision on self - actualization . By this later theory, the self only finds its actualization in giving itself to some higher outside goal, in altruism and spirituality . He equated this with the desire to reach the infinite . "Transcendence refers to the very highest and most inclusive or holistic levels of human consciousness, behaving and relating, as ends rather than means, to oneself, to significant others, to human beings in general, to other species, to nature, and to the cosmos" (Farther Reaches of Human Nature, New York 1971, p. 269). </P> <P> Nurses can apply Maslow's hierarchy of basic needs in the assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of patient care . It helps the nurse identify unmet needs as they become health care needs, and allows the nurse to locate the patient on the health - illness continuum and to incorporate the human dimensions and health models into meeting needs . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Td> Physical dimension </Td> <Td> Physiologic needs </Td> <Td> Breathing, circulation, temperature, intake of food and fluids, elimination of wastes, movement . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Environmental dimension </Td> <Td> Safety and security needs </Td> <Td> Housing, community, climate . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sociocultural dimension </Td> <Td> Love and belonging needs </Td> <Td> Relationships with others, communications with others, support systems, being part of community, feeling loved by others . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Emotional dimension </Td> <Td> Self - esteem needs </Td> <Td> Hope, joy, curiosity, happiness, accepting Self . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Intellectual and spiritual dimensions </Td> <Td> Self - actualization needs </Td> <Td> Thinking, learning, decision making, values, beliefs, fulfillment, helping others . </Td> </Tr> </Table>

Maslow’s theory of human motivation and hierarchy of basic human needs