Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: A Writer’s Guide to Character Motivation
- Bair Klos
- Feb 24
- 11 min read
Updated: Feb 25
Why do some characters feel real and compelling, while others fall flat? Often, it comes down to motivation—what a character wants, why they want it, and how far they’re willing to go to get it. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological framework that can help writers understand what truly drives their characters at a deep, human level.
Helps you to get deeper into the psychology of your character to better understand your characters, your character's motivations, their psychology, and help you understand where they are in their journey and what path they are on.
In this post, we’ll break down how each level of Maslow’s hierarchy shapes a character’s desires, fears, and decisions, and how you can use it to craft richer, more believable character arcs.
Understanding Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs For Characters
What Is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?
If you've never heard of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, it is a psychological theory developed by Abraham Maslow in 1943, outlining the stages of human motivation. It is often depicted as a pyramid with five levels, each representing a different category of needs that drive human behavior. At the base are physiological needs like food, water, and sleep—essential for survival. Once those are met, people seek safety needs, such as financial security and physical protection. Higher up, individuals crave love and belonging, forming deep relationships and communities. Beyond that, they strive for esteem needs, seeking recognition, self-worth, and achievement. At the top is self-actualization, where a person pursues purpose, creativity, and personal fulfillment. Maslow theorized that as lower-level needs are satisfied, people become motivated by higher aspirations. In storytelling, this framework helps define character motivations, conflicts, and arcs, as characters evolve based on what they desire most.
Here’s a breakdown of the five levels and how they can shape a character’s journey.
1.) Physiological Needs – Survival at All Costs (The Base of the Pyramid)
At the most basic level, every human (and character) is driven by the need to stay alive. These are essential needs like food, water, air, shelter, sleep, and physical health—without them, nothing else matters. When a character is stuck at this level, their entire focus is on survival, meaning they won’t have the luxury of worrying about self-worth, relationships, or personal growth. Their choices will be instinctive, desperate, and often reckless because the stakes are life or death.
This level is common in survival stories, post-apocalyptic settings, war narratives, and dystopian fiction. A protagonist who has been thrust into the wilderness, trapped in a deadly competition, or fleeing a dangerous enemy will be primarily focused on securing these physiological needs before anything else.
Example:
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) isn’t initially concerned with rebellion or love—she just wants to survive and protect her family.
Mark Watney (The Martian) spends most of the book solving one problem at a time: How do I get food? How do I make water? How do I not die on Mars?
How This Shapes a Character:
Their decisions are purely instinctual—survive or die.
They have no time for deep emotions or complex relationships if their immediate survival is threatened.
They may develop resourcefulness, resilience, and quick-thinking skills to navigate life-threatening situations.
2.) Safety Needs – Stability & Security
Once survival is secured, characters shift toward seeking safety and stability in their lives. This includes physical safety (protection from danger or harm), financial security, law and order, and overall stability. Characters at this stage are driven by the desire to avoid risk, establish control, and protect what they have.
This need often creates internal conflict in characters who must choose between playing it safe or taking a risk. A character clinging to safety may refuse adventure, turn down opportunities, or even betray others to maintain their sense of security.
Example:
Bilbo Baggins (The Hobbit) starts his journey in a safe, comfortable home and is deeply resistant to adventure at first.
Walter White (Breaking Bad) is initially motivated by his need to financially secure his family’s future after his cancer diagnosis, leading him down a dangerous path.
How This Shapes a Character:
If they are too attached to safety, they may struggle with stepping outside their comfort zone.
They may hoard wealth, manipulate situations, or even lie to protect their stability.
If safety is suddenly taken away, they may become desperate, paranoid, or reckless in an attempt to restore it.
3.) Love & Belonging – The Search for Connection
After securing stability, characters begin to crave emotional connections—whether through friendships, romantic relationships, family, or a sense of belonging. This is where many deep internal conflicts arise, especially in stories where characters struggle with abandonment, rejection, or trust issues.
A character at this stage may feel lonely, disconnected, or desperate for approval. They might go to extreme lengthsto maintain a relationship, or they may push others away out of fear of getting hurt. This level is particularly relevant in coming-of-age stories, romance, found-family narratives, and redemption arcs.
Example:
Elsa (Frozen) isolates herself because of her fear of rejection, but deep down, she longs for connection.
Harry Potter doesn’t just want to survive the Dursleys—he craves friendship, love, and a true home.
Dom Toretto (The Fast & Furious series) is motivated not by money or power but by his loyalty to his found family.
How This Shapes a Character:
If they lack love, they may become cold, detached, or afraid of vulnerability.
They may chase relationships or approval to an unhealthy degree, leading to codependency.
Their biggest fear might be abandonment, betrayal, or rejection.
4.) Esteem Needs – Respect & Recognition
Once a character feels loved and accepted, they start to seek self-worth, respect, achievement, and recognition. This can take many forms—career success, proving themselves to others, gaining power, or earning admiration. Some characters want status and prestige, while others simply want to feel valued for who they are.
This is where ego, pride, and ambition come into play. A character’s self-esteem might be tied to external validation—making them susceptible to arrogance, insecurity, or self-destruction if their status is threatened. This is common in rivalry stories, tales of ambition, and tragic character arcs.
Example:
Tony Stark (Iron Man) starts as a man who thrives on validation, status, and being the smartest person in the room.
Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) is obsessed with wealth and prestige, believing it will win him Daisy’s love.
How This Shapes a Character:
They may struggle with imposter syndrome, fear of failure, or arrogance.
If they lose status, they might experience a crisis of identity.
They might start out believing external success = happiness, only to realize true self-worth comes from within.
5.) Self-Actualization – Becoming Who They’re Meant to Be
At the top of the hierarchy is self-actualization, where a character is no longer motivated by external factors (survival, security, relationships, or status) but by their own internal purpose and fulfillment. They seek to become their best selves, live authentically, and leave a lasting impact.
This is often the end goal of a protagonist’s journey. They start off chasing something external (money, love, revenge, power) but eventually realize what truly matters. In contrast, tragic characters never reach this stage, remaining stuck in their lower-level needs.
Example:
Moana starts by wanting to follow her family’s traditions, but she realizes she must embrace her destiny and explore the ocean.
Aang (Avatar: The Last Airbender) has to accept his role as the Avatar, despite wanting to run from responsibility.
How This Shapes a Character:
They stop being driven by fear, approval, or ambition and act out of purpose and wisdom.
They often reach clarity about their true self, completing their arc.
Their transformation may inspire or impact others, showing their growth.
How to Apply Maslow’s Hierarchy to Characters
Characters, much like real people, don’t wake up one day thinking, “I need self-actualization.” They start at the bottom—hungry, afraid, or longing for connection—and climb the hierarchy as their story unfolds. A character’s arc is often about moving up the pyramid, whether they realize it or not. That lone mercenary scavenging for scraps (physiological) might one day become a reluctant hero fighting for a cause (self-actualization). A street thief (safety) may only seek survival at first, but along the way, they might stumble into an unexpected found family (love & belonging). And sometimes? A character never reaches the top. Tragic heroes, villains, and even anti-heroes often get stuck in lower levels, unable to move forward because of fear, ambition, or self-doubt. By aligning your character’s desires, struggles, and ultimate growth with Maslow’s hierarchy, you can craft a journey that feels authentic, emotional, and deeply human.
So now that we understand the five levels of Maslow’s Hierarchy, let’s explore how they shape a character’s journey. Characters rarely recognize their needs explicitly, but their struggles, motivations, and ultimate growth often align with this pyramid.
A survival-driven character (Level 1) might start out only concerned with their next meal, but by the end of the story, they may rise to fight for a cause greater than themselves (Level 5). A power-hungry villain (Level 4) may spend an entire story chasing status and validation, only to realize too late that what they truly needed was love and belonging (Level 3). Some characters climb the pyramid, while others tragically fall—either way, their needs dictate their actions, shape their internal conflicts, and drive their arcs.
Where Does Your Character Start?
Before crafting a character arc, ask yourself: "where do my characters start on the hierarchy?" Are they struggling for basic survival, seeking safety, longing for love, or chasing prestige and recognition?
Are they focused on survival (Level 1), stability (Level 2), or something higher?
What need is currently driving their actions?
What Do They Think They Want vs. What They Actually Need?
Many characters believe they know what will solve their problems, but what they want isn’t always what they need. This tension is key to creating compelling character arcs.
External Goal: What the character believes will fix their life.
Internal Need: The deeper, often unrecognized truth that will actually fulfill them.
Example:
Elsa (Frozen) thinks she needs isolation to feel safe (safety needs), but what she actually needs is love and acceptance (belonging needs).
Walter White (Breaking Bad) thinks he needs money to secure his family’s future (safety needs), but his true craving is power and control (esteem needs).
Reflection Question: How does the story force your character to realize what they truly need?
How Does Conflict Push Them to Climb the Pyramid?
Great character arcs don’t just happen—conflict forces characters to evolve. Whether it’s internal struggles, external challenges, or life-changing events, something must disrupt their status quo and challenge their priorities.
As characters grow, their needs shift up the pyramid.
In a tragedy, a character may fail to grow and instead fall lower.
Example:
Katniss Everdeen (The Hunger Games) starts at physiological needs (finding food for her family). As the story progresses, she moves through safety, belonging, esteem, and ultimately, rebellion and self-actualization.
Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) remains trapped in esteem needs (status and wealth), never reaching self-actualization, which leads to his downfall.
Reflection Question: Does your character naturally move up the pyramid, or do they cycle between levels?
Writing Exercises for Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Exercise 1: Climbing the Pyramid – Character Growth Through the Hierarchy
Pick a character and map out their progress through Maslow’s hierarchy.
Where does your character start (survival, safety, love, esteem, or self-actualization)?
What external event or conflict forces them to move up?
Do they get stuck at a level? Why?
What final moment or realization helps them grow—or keeps them from evolving?
Example:
Katniss starts at survival → moves through safety and belonging → struggles with esteem → reaches self-actualization as a revolutionary leader.
Reflection Question: Does your character climb the pyramid naturally, or are they resistant to change?
Exercise 2: What Do They Think They Want vs. What They Actually Need?
Many characters pursue the wrong thing, believing it will bring happiness. This exercise helps define their false belief vs. true need.
Write down your character’s external goal (what they think they need).
Identify their internal need (what will actually fulfill them).
Determine which Maslow level aligns with this need.
How does the story force them to realize this truth?
Example:
Jay Gatsby thinks he needs Daisy’s love (esteem needs), but he actually needs self-worth and acceptance of the past (self-actualization).
Elsa believes she needs isolation (safety), but her true need is love and connection (belonging).
Reflection Question: How does your character’s journey shift their understanding of their true need?
Exercise 3: The Pyramid Reversal – When Characters Fall Instead of Rise
Not all stories are about growth—some are about destruction. Write about a character who descends Maslow’s hierarchy instead of climbing it.
Identify where they start on the pyramid (e.g., a respected leader at esteem needs).
What event shatters their progress and pushes them down?
Do they recognize their fall, or are they in denial?
Can they recover, or is their descent permanent?
Example:
Anakin Skywalker begins with esteem and purpose, but his fear and anger pull him down to safety and survival.
Walter White starts at safety (providing for family) but descends into power obsession (esteem) and finally collapses back into survival mode.
Reflection Question: What was the turning point where your character could have changed but didn’t?
Exercise 4: The Missing Need – What’s Holding Them Back?
Some characters never reach a specific level—and that’s what defines them. This exercise helps uncover what’s missing.
Pick a character from your story.
Identify which Maslow level they struggle to fulfill the most.
How does this unmet need shape their fears, relationships, and actions?
Will they ever reach this need, or will it always remain out of reach?
Example:
Batman is stuck in love & belonging—despite his found family, he isolates himself.
Snape never fully reaches self-actualization—his identity is forever tied to past wounds.
Reflection Question: If they fulfilled this need, how would it change them?
Exercise 5: The Pyramid in a Single Scene
A single scene can reveal where a character stands on the hierarchy. Write a moment where a character confronts a key need.
Choose a Maslow level that’s driving your character.
Introduce an obstacle that challenges this need.
Show how they react—do they fight for it, abandon it, or compromise?
Example Prompts:
Physiological: A character stranded in the desert, facing starvation.
Safety: A mother hiding her child during a war.
Love & Belonging: A soldier returning home, unsure if they still fit in.
Esteem: A musician competing for the opportunity of a lifetime.
Self-Actualization: An inventor realizing their purpose isn’t fame, but changing lives.
Reflection Question: How does the resolution of the scene impact their long-term character arc?
Concluding Thoughts
At its core, storytelling is about transformation. Whether a character is fighting to survive, searching for belonging, or striving to fulfill their purpose, their journey is shaped by their needs. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs offers a roadmap for character motivation, showing us why they act the way they do and how they evolve through conflict.
Not every character climbs to self-actualization—some stay stuck, others fall, and a few never realize what they truly need. But understanding where your character stands on this hierarchy can help create depth, emotional resonance, and organic growth that makes them feel real.
The best stories are not just about what happens, but why it matters. When you craft characters whose struggles mirror the fundamental needs of human nature, you create narratives that connect with readers on a visceral level.
All great characters are driven by desire, but what they want is rarely what they truly need. – John Truby
Let me know if this blog post was helpful!
I wish you all the success with your writing!
—Bair✍︎
Disclaimer: Please note that this blog post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a referral commission at no extra cost to you. This support helps keep my website up & running, and me writing! Thanks so much for your support!
Want to stay up to-date on get exclusive updates and insights on future projects, book launches, writer and reader resources, FREE literature, writing freebies, and a more?
Sign up for my Newsletter!
Find more helpful writing tips on the rest of my blog.
Struggling to get your word count in? Check out my writing podcast!
Need a new notebook? Check out my hand-bound books!
Support the blog on Ko-fi!
Check out My Writer & Reader Merch Store
Like this post?
Share the link on your social media or
pin the image below to your Pinterest board!
Comments