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Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025

Definition

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that categorizes human needs into five levels, from basic survival needs to self-actualization, asserting that lower-level needs must be satisfied before higher ones can be addressed. It is used in business to understand employee motivation and how to foster an environment where workers can achieve their full potential.

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