Maslow's Hierarchy is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. It is often depicted as a pyramid with five levels of human needs, arranged from the most basic to the more complex. The levels are: physiological needs (food, water, shelter), safety needs (security, stability), love and belonging (relationships, social connections), esteem needs (self-esteem, recognition), and self-actualization (personal growth, fulfillment).
According to this theory, individuals must satisfy lower-level needs before they can address higher-level needs. For example, a person struggling to meet their physiological needs may find it challenging to focus on building relationships or achieving personal goals. This framework helps to understand human motivation and behavior in various contexts, including psychology, education, and business.