Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a hypothesis on what drives individuals to do things. It claims that people's wants are arranged from most basic to most complicated. Abraham Maslow first talked about this topic in a paper in 1943 and then wrote more about it in a book in 1954. The notion posits that individuals must fulfill their fundamental needs prior to being motivated to pursue their higher demands. People commonly portray the sequence as a pyramid with five levels. First, you need food, water, sleep, and other fundamental things. Then there are safety needs, such a safe place to live, security, and stability. The middle layer is made up of our needs for love and belonging, which are related to our social needs for love, friendship, and relationships. Then there are esteem needs, which include things like self-respect, status, and being acknowledged. The drive to realize your maximum potential and evolve as a person, also known as self-actualization, is at the top.

  Maslow labels lesser wants "deficiency needs" since not meeting them can generate a lot of stress. People don't care about "growth" wants like self-actualization until their basic needs are addressed. This idea has had a tremendous impact on psychology, business, education, and healthcare because it helps us understand what motivates individuals and how to help them live healthier lives. For example, businesses might make sure that their employees' basic and social requirements are addressed (such fair pay, a safe place to work, and a good team attitude) so that they are happier and more productive at work. Later research has built on Maslow's concepts, but his hierarchy is still a common approach to think about the many needs and wants people have.