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What is Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

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Quick answer

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory that human needs stack in a pyramid — from basic survival at the bottom to self-fulfillment at the top. People generally focus on lower needs first, then move up as each level is met.

Key things to understand

  1. Needs are arranged in a five-level pyramid.
  2. Bottom levels: food, safety; top: esteem and self-actualization.
  3. Lower needs are usually met before higher ones.
  4. It's widely used in psychology, education, and management.

People also ask

What are the levels of Maslow's hierarchy?
Physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, and self-actualization — from bottom to top.
Who created the hierarchy of needs?
Psychologist Abraham Maslow proposed it in 1943.
Is Maslow's hierarchy strictly ordered?
Not rigidly — people can pursue several levels at once, but lower needs tend to take priority.