Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: 5 levels of human motivation

Reviewed by Robert Bogenberger, PhD

Written by

therapist.com team

Last updated: 08/19/2025

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What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is a pyramid model of motivation that lays out how human needs build upon each other, from basic survival up to personal fulfillment.

Developed by humanistic psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943, this theory suggests that people are motivated to fulfill certain needs in a specific order.¹ Once the lowest needs are met, we naturally progress to higher levels of motivation.

The model caught on for many reasons, including that it’s easy to visualize and grasp. It offers a simple way to explain why people act the way they do.

Over the years, the hierarchy has faced criticism from researchers for a number of reasons. Nevertheless, Maslow’s framework remains influential in many fields, including psychology, education, and business management. It provides valuable insights into human motivation and organizational behavior despite its limitations.

The 5 levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

The hierarchy moves from bottom to top, with each level building on the ones below it. In theory, as each level of need is fulfilled, the next level emerges and motivates behaviors that fulfill it.

Research shows a relationship between satisfaction levels of Maslow’s hierarchy and reduced loneliness and increased life satisfaction.²

Level 1: Physiological (essential) needs

At the bottom of the pyramid lies the most foundational needs for human life—food, water, sleep, and shelter. These are needs you must meet to keep yourself alive and functioning.

Unsurprisingly, research shows basic need fulfillment connects directly to mental well-being in daily life.³

When physiological needs aren’t met, they tend to dominate our attention and energy, making it difficult to focus on anything else. For example, someone experiencing hunger or sleep deprivation might struggle to concentrate on work or relationships.

Once these basic requirements are satisfied, however, they stop being our main motivators and attention naturally shifts to the next level of needs in the hierarchy.

Level 2: Safety

Once physiological needs are fulfilled, safety needs become the next priority. “Safety” includes physical safety, job security, financial stability, and health protection. At this level, you’re seeking predictability and security in your environment.

This isn’t just about avoiding immediate physical danger—it encompasses the broader need for order and stability in your life. You might find yourself focused on securing steady employment, building an emergency fund, or establishing routines that create a sense of control.

Financial stability plays a major role here—people with better financial security show improved mental health outcomes largely because they can more easily meet their various needs.⁴

When safety needs are largely met, the anxiety about survival diminishes, and attention can shift toward forming meaningful connections with others.

Level 3: Love and belonging needs

With safety established, the focus shifts to social connection and relationships. Love and belonging needs encompass intimate relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners. It also includes the broader desire to feel accepted and be part of a community.

At this level, you’re motivated to form meaningful bonds with others and find your place within social groups. This might involve deepening friendships, building romantic relationships, joining organizations, or strengthening family ties. The need extends beyond just having people around—it’s about feeling genuinely accepted, valued, and understood by others.

Research shows love and belonging needs are fundamental for psychological health, especially during difficult times.⁵ A study involving 500 adolescents found that those who felt more connected to family—especially their parents—felt more in control, which was associated with lower rates of depression.⁶

When these social needs are reasonably fulfilled, attention can turn toward developing self-respect and gaining recognition from others.

Level 4: Esteem

Once love and belonging needs are reasonably satisfied, esteem needs become the primary focus. “Esteem” involves both self-respect and recognition from others—essentially, feeling good about yourself and having that worth acknowledged by people around you.

Esteem needs split into two categories: internal esteem (confidence, competence, achievement, independence) and external esteem (recognition, respect, status, appreciation from others).

This level is about proving your worth both to yourself and to your community. It drives the desire to contribute meaningfully, to master skills, and to gain the respect that comes from competent work. You might find yourself pursuing goals that demonstrate your abilities, seeking feedback and praise, or working to build expertise in areas that matter to you.

Research shows that higher levels of self-esteem are associated with fewer symptoms of mental health problems like depression and anxiety.⁷ When esteem needs aren’t met, it can create a negative cycle—low self-esteem not only contributes to mental health struggles but can also become a barrier to seeking treatment due to shame and stigma.⁸

When esteem needs are met, the final level of human motivation can emerge—the drive toward self-actualization.

Level 5: Self-actualization

At the pinnacle of Maslow’s hierarchy sits self-actualization—the drive to reach your full potential and become your most authentic self. Unlike the previous levels, which focus on addressing deficiencies or unmet needs, self-actualization is about growth and personal fulfillment.

This level is characterized by the pursuit of personal meaning, creativity, spontaneity, and the realization of your unique talents and capabilities. You might find yourself drawn to activities that express your true nature, seeking experiences that promote personal growth, or working toward goals that align with your deepest values rather than external expectations.

Self-actualization isn’t a destination but an ongoing process of becoming. It involves accepting yourself while continuously striving to develop your potential. People operating at this level often display characteristics like creativity, autonomy, appreciation for life’s experiences, and a sense of purpose that extends beyond their immediate needs.

Research shows that self-actualization plays a protective role against anxiety and depression.⁹ Interestingly, higher levels of social support, strong spirituality, and marriage all seem to promote self-actualization. People who achieve greater self-actualization also report higher life satisfaction and psychological wellness.

It’s important to note that reaching this level doesn’t mean other needs disappear. It simply means that the lower needs are reasonably satisfied and the motivation for self-actualization can become the main driver.

Criticisms and modern perspectives on Maslow’s theory

Mental health professionals have pointed out several significant problems with Maslow’s original theory, particularly around its universal applicability and linear structure.

The ordering problem: While most researchers agree that self-actualization belongs at the top and physiological needs at the bottom, the middle levels—safety, love/belonging, and esteem—may not follow a fixed order.¹⁰ Critics argue that the specific arrangement of these intermediate needs is largely subjective, and that frustration over not having one’s needs met may actually prompt self-actualization in some cases.

Unclear hierarchy: If certain fundamental needs are necessary for self-actualization, it’s questionable whether these can or should be arranged in a strict hierarchy at all. Research shows that people often meet needs from different levels at the same time, rather than moving step-by-step up the pyramid.¹¹

Mental health isn’t linear: Critics point out that mental health recovery is complex and non-linear, involving setbacks and breakthroughs rather than steady upward progress.¹² This contradicts Maslow’s step-by-step model.

Growth through struggle: Interestingly, Maslow’s own later work suggested that people might pursue self-actualization precisely because their needs aren’t being met—not because they are.¹³ Sometimes facing hardship and failure actually leads to personal growth, which challenges the idea that you must satisfy lower needs first before moving up the pyramid.

These criticisms highlight important limitations, but Maslow’s framework still offers useful insights into human motivation and well-being when applied with flexibility rather than as a rigid formula.

Addressing unmet needs in therapy

Therapists may use Maslow’s hierarchy as a framework for understanding where to focus their interventions, though they might apply it more flexibly than the original model suggests. For instance, they might use it to prioritize their approach. They could use it as a general guide for understanding what might be most urgent in someone’s life, rather than a checklist that must be completed in order.

Modern therapy recognizes that people might want to work on personal growth even before basic needs are reliably met. For example, someone experiencing homelessness can still have meaningful goals for their relationships and self-growth. Therapy can support both practical needs and personal development at the same time.

Whether you’re feeling unsafe, struggling with relationships, battling low self-esteem, or feeling stuck with your personal goals, a therapist can help you identify what’s missing and develop strategies to address those gaps.

Applying Maslow’s theory in everyday life

Understanding Maslow’s hierarchy can help you assess your own well-being and identify where you might need more support. Rather than viewing it as a rigid process to follow, think of it as a way to recognize patterns in your life and understand why certain things might feel more urgent than others.

Start with the basics. Make sure your fundamental needs are reasonably covered—regular sleep, adequate nutrition, medical care—but don’t wait for perfection before addressing other areas. You can work on building relationships while also improving your living situation, or pursue personal growth while strengthening your financial security.

Notice what you’re actually craving. Pay attention to what feels most pressing in your life right now. Are you feeling isolated and needing more connection? Seeking recognition for your efforts? Yearning for more meaning and purpose? Recognizing the points where you feel “stuck” can give you clues about what needs attention.

Work on multiple levels at once. Real life doesn’t follow neat categories. You might strengthen relationships (love/belonging) by joining a hobby group that also builds your skills (esteem), or improve your physical health (physiological) through activities that give you a sense of accomplishment (esteem) and connect you with others (belonging).

Remember that setbacks are normal. Your needs will shift based on circumstances. Losing a job might temporarily make safety needs more pressing, or a relationship ending might highlight belonging needs. This doesn’t mean you’re “moving backward”—it’s just how human needs work in real life.

Seek support when you need it. Sometimes working through unmet needs requires professional help. If you’re struggling, a therapist can provide guidance and tools tailored to your specific situation. Visit our therapist directory to find qualified professionals online or in your area.