In 1943, Abraham Maslow proposed his hierarchy of needs — a motivational theory suggesting that human needs are arranged in a pyramid, with more basic needs requiring satisfaction before higher needs become motivating.

The Five Levels

1. Physiological: Food, water, shelter, sleep — survival basics
2. Safety: Security, stability, freedom from fear
3. Love and Belonging: Friendship, intimacy, family, sense of connection
4. Esteem: Self-respect, achievement, recognition from others
5. Self-Actualization: Realizing full potential, creativity, meaning

The Strict Hierarchy — And Its Problems

Maslow proposed that lower needs must be met before higher ones become motivating. Research has consistently challenged the strict ordering — people pursue belonging, esteem, and self-actualization even under conditions of physical deprivation. Viktor Frankl's accounts of meaning-seeking in concentration camps are the most extreme counter-example.

Why It Endures

Despite its empirical limitations, Maslow's framework remains one of the most widely used models in management, education, and counseling because it captures an important general truth: context shapes what motivates people.

Reference:

Wikipedia: Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs