Abraham Maslow (1908–1970) was an influential American psychologist renowned for his development of the Hierarchy of Needs theory. His work has had a lasting impact on understanding human motivation and behavior. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943, outlining human motivation and needs. It categorizes these needs into a pyramid with five levels.

At the base are physiological needs like food, water, and shelter, which must be satisfied for survival. Once these are met, safety needs for security and stability become important. The next level involves social needs, including belonging and relationships. Esteem needs for self-respect and recognition come after, followed by the pinnacle: self-actualization, where individuals seek personal growth and realization of their potential.

The theory suggests that higher-level needs become relevant once lower-level ones are fulfilled. However, individual circumstances can influence this progression. Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is influential in understanding human behavior and motivation, especially in contexts like psychology, education, and business management.