Which psychological theory explains the progression of human needs?

The Hierarchy of Needs is a psychological theory proposed by Abraham Maslow that categorizes human needs into a five-tier pyramid model. According to this theory, individuals are motivated to fulfill needs in a specific order, starting from the most basic physiological needs, such as food and shelter, to safety needs, social belonging, esteem, and ultimately reaching self-actualization.

This progression illustrates that until a lower level of need is satisfied, individuals will not focus on higher-level needs. For instance, someone struggling to meet their basic food needs will not prioritize social connections or self-esteem. The Hierarchy of Needs provides a framework for understanding human motivation and development, which is essential in areas like human resources to determine employee satisfaction and engagement.

In contrast, the other theories mentioned focus on different aspects of behavior and learning, such as observable behavior (Behaviorism), cognitive processes (Cognitive Development), or the influence of observing others (Social Learning Theory). Each of these frameworks addresses important dimensions of psychology but does not specifically describe the hierarchical progression of needs that individuals aim to fulfill throughout their lives.