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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory in psychology, represented by a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals before needs higher up can be addressed. The needs are: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs argues that higher needs in the hierarchy gain importance when an individual feels they have sufficiently satisfied the previous need. Although later research does not fully support all of Maslow’s theory, his research has impacted other psychologists and contributed to the field of positive psychology.

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