What is Need Hierarchy Theory?

Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs theory is the most widely discussed theory of motivation. The theory can be summarized as thus:

Human beings have wants and desires which influence their behavior; only unsatisfied needs can influence behavior, satisfied needs cannot.

Since needs are many, they are arranged in order of importance, from the basic to the complex. The person advances to the next level of needs only after the lower level need is at least minimally satisfied.

The further the progress up the hierarchy, the more individuality, humanness and psychological health a person will show.

The needs, listed from basic (lowest, earliest) to most complex (highest, latest) are as follows:

Physiological

Safety and security

Social

Esteem

Self actualization