Principles of Management CLEP Practice Exam 2025 – Your Comprehensive All-in-One Guide to Exam Success!

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory that categorizes human needs into five distinct levels, arranged in a pyramid structure. The correct sequence of these needs, from the most basic to the highest, is crucial to understanding human motivation and behavior.

The first level is physiological needs, which include the fundamental requirements for human survival such as food, water, warmth, and rest. Once these needs are satisfied, individuals seek safety needs, which encompass physical safety as well as emotional and financial security.

Next in the hierarchy is the love and belonging needs, where individuals strive for social connections, friendships, and intimate relationships. After social needs, esteem needs emerge, reflecting the desire for respect, self-esteem, and recognition from others. Finally, at the top of the pyramid is self-actualization, which represents the pursuit of personal growth, fulfillment, and the realization of one’s potential.

Understanding this hierarchy helps in various fields such as management, education, and psychology, as it illustrates why individuals are motivated to achieve certain things in order to satisfy these needs progressively.