What is the main premise of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

The main premise of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is that human needs motivate behavior. This theory posits that individuals are motivated by a series of hierarchical needs, which range from basic physiological needs, such as food and shelter, to psychological needs, such as belonging and esteem, and finally to self-actualization, where one reaches their full potential. According to Maslow, people are motivated to fulfill these needs sequentially; once a lower-level need is satisfied, they are driven to address the next higher level in the hierarchy.

This perspective highlights the importance of understanding human motivation as it is tied to the fulfillment of basic and higher-level needs. It provides a framework for analyzing why individuals may behave in certain ways depending on which needs are currently unmet in their lives. This is distinct from other theories that may focus on genetic factors, social relationships, or environmental stimuli as primary influences on behavior rather than on the gradual fulfillment of a hierarchy of needs.