Explain Maslow's hierarchy of needs

What will be an ideal response?

ANSWER: Maslow's hierarchy of needs arranges needs in ascending order of importance: physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. As a person fulfills one need, a higher-level need becomes more important. The most basic human needs, that is, the needs for food, water, and shelter, are physiological. Because they are essential to survival, these needs must be satisfied first. Safety needs include security and freedom from pain and discomfort. After physiological and safety needs have been fulfilled, social needs, especially love and a sense of belonging, become the focus. The next set of needs are self-esteem needs. They include self-respect and a sense of accomplishment. Esteem needs also include prestige, fame, and recognition of one's accomplishments. The highest human need is self-actualization. It refers to finding self-fulfillment and self-expression, reaching the point in life at which "people are what they feel they should be." Maslow believed that very few people ever attain this level.