What are the stages of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow that outlines the progression of human motivations, typically depicted as a pyramid with five levels. The correct response includes all five stages of this hierarchy, which are designed to illustrate how individuals are motivated to fulfill their needs, starting from the most fundamental physical necessities to the more complex psychological and self-fulfillment aspects.

The first level consists of physical needs, which encompass basic human requirements such as food, water, shelter, and sleep. Once these basic needs are satisfied, individuals can focus on the second level: safety needs, which include personal security, employment, resources, and health. The third level is characterized by belongingness and love needs, emphasizing social relationships, affection, and the feeling of belonging to a group. Following that, the fourth level is esteem needs, which pertain to self-esteem and the esteem provided by others, including recognition and respect. Finally, at the top of the hierarchy is self-actualization, the realization of personal potential, self-fulfillment, and the pursuit of personal growth and peak experiences.

The inclusion of 'belongingness and love' in the correct answer reflects the critical social aspect of human motivation, which becomes significant once physical and