Maslows

Maslows is a surname of Germanic origin. In English-language usage the term most often appears as Maslow's when referring to the American psychologist Abraham Maslow and his theory, Maslow's hierarchy of needs. The form can also denote multiple individuals who share the Maslow surname. The name is associated most strongly with a motivational framework that has influenced psychology, education, and management.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a theory of human motivation proposed by Abraham Maslow in 1943. It is commonly depicted as a five-level pyramid. The levels, from bottom to top, are physiological needs (such as food, water, warmth, rest), safety needs (security, stability), love and belonging needs (relationships, affection, community), esteem needs (self-respect, recognition), and self-actualization (the realization of personal potential). The central idea is that lower-level needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs become primary motivators, though in practice people may pursue multiple levels simultaneously.

Extensions and variations of the model have appeared since its inception. Maslow himself proposed cognitive and aesthetic needs as additional levels, and after his death discussions of self-transcendence emerged, with some interpretations placing it above self-actualization. Other scholars have debated the ordering and applicability of the hierarchy across cultures and contexts, noting that needs may be pursued in non-linear ways.

Impact and criticisms: the theory has influenced fields such as management, education, and health care, offering a simple framework for understanding motivation. It has also faced criticism for limited empirical support, cultural bias, and an assumption of a universal, strict hierarchy. Despite debates, Maslow's hierarchy remains a widely cited reference in discussions of human motivation and development.