Relates to Maslow's hierarchy of needs and proposes that individuals strive to fulfill each level of need in sequence. Only when lower-level needs are adequately met can higher-level needs become motivating factors. Maslow's theory highlights the importance of understanding these motivational needs in shaping an individual's personality development and behavior.

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Abraham Maslow (1908-1970) was a pioneering humanist psychologist who focused on the development of healthy individuals. He studied the lives of people he considered exemplary, such as Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt, to identify common traits among healthy, creative, and productive individuals. This research formed the basis for his influential theories, including the hierarchy of human needs.

Abraham Maslow

Olson, Matthew H., et al. An Introduction to Theories of Personality. 9th ed., Pearson, 2020. 

Reference

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

Motivational theory in psychology comprises a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as a hierarchical levels within a pyramid. Needs lower down in the hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals can attend to needs higher up.

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Maslow's Theory of Personality

As a key part of his humanistic approach, Abraham Maslow focused his research on the qualities of healthy, creative, and productive people. He analyzed the lives of exemplary figures like Albert Einstein and Eleanor Roosevelt to understand how healthy individuals develop and what characteristics they share.

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