What is the main idea behind Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposing that human motivation is organized in a hierarchical structure. According to Maslow, individuals are motivated to fulfill basic needs before they can address higher-order needs. The hierarchy is typically represented as a pyramid with five levels: physiological needs, safety needs, love and belonging needs, esteem needs, and self-actualization at the top.

The main idea emphasizes that individuals progress through these needs in a sequential manner. Once a lower-level need is satisfied, individuals can focus on higher-level needs. For instance, if basic physiological and safety needs are not met, an individual might struggle to seek relationships or pursue self-actualization. This understanding highlights how motivations are not only varied but also interdependent, as the fulfillment of fundamental needs lays the groundwork for pursuing more complex psychological and self-fulfillment goals.