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Introduction: Maslows Hierarchy
Maslows pyramid is a hierarchy of five categories of needs. Physiological needs for food, water and shelter form the very bottom of the pyramid. The needs for security, love and respect constitute a further hierarchy (Meier & Boivin, 2022). Self-realization is at the very top of the hierarchy, such high needs begin to arise if people have fully satisfied the lower needs. Survival films such as Cast Away and The Martian reflect the Maslows pyramid.
Maslows Hierarchy in Cast Away
Cast Away is the story of Chuck Noland, who survives a plane crash and is forced to live on a desert island in the Pacific Ocean. Before the tragedy, he had an ideal life and all his needs, according to Maslows pyramid, were satisfied, except for the highest, since he could not decide whether to marry his girlfriend Kate. Chuck fulfills his physiological needs by finding food, water and organizing a shelter in the found cave. The protagonist closes the need for security when he finds location equipment and medical supplies. Chuck realizes the need for connection and acceptance when he finds a volleyball and gives it a name. The self-esteem of the character increases when he realizes that he has done everything to organize a comfortable existence. Despite the fact that his girlfriend is already married when he returns, Chuck closes the need for self-actualization by making a clear decision.
Maslows Hierarchy in The Martian
The Martian is a sci-fi survival drama in which the protagonist Mark Watney is forced to survive on a desert planet. Mark devises a plan to stretch out the food supply while he attempts to contact Earth. This fulfills his basic needs for food and water, as well as a sense of security, giving hope for salvation. The need for love, respect, and communication Mark realizes with the help of his video magazine. Marks self-esteem is bolstered by his realizable skills in growing food and trying to get back to Earth. However, Mark reaches the top of Maslows pyramid when he finally returns home and becomes an instructor for future astronauts, finding his true destiny.
Comparing the Main Characters
Chuck and Mark are similar in many ways, they both have to face difficulties and overcome atypical situations in order to survive. They both gradually realize their basic needs for food, water and security. Both heroes find interlocutors for themselves, which helps them survive from a psychological point of view. Their only difference is that Mark always looks at life with optimism. Chuck finds the strength to live only after he faced an unsuccessful suicide attempt.
The Characters, Achieving Self-Actualization
Both characters could not reach the highest level of Maslows hierarchy in their usual life and were able to fulfill themselves after surviving in atypical conditions. Such a plot occurs because both heroes had a clearly executed hierarchy of basic needs on Mars and a desert island. The characters had enough time to immerse themselves in introspection and understand what each of them expects from life. The experience of survival gave them an understanding of the value of human life and allowed them to reach the top of the hierarchy of needs.
Conclusion
The Cast Away and The Martian demonstrate the application of Maslows pyramid in atypical living conditions. The protagonists of both films learn how to survive by gradually closing their basic needs and striving for self-awareness through reflection. A difficult experience allows Mark and Chuck to climb to the top of Maslows pyramid. Heroes reach the stage of self-actualization, as they have learned to fully satisfy their basic needs and now have a clear understanding of their life goals.
Reference
Meier, A., & Boivin, M. (2022). Self-in-Relationship psychotherapy: A complete clinical guide to theory and Practice. Taylor & Francis.
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