"Maslow's central theme revolves around the meaning and significance of human work..." (Motivation Theorists and Their Theories) This is a theme that in encountered repeatedly in many existential views of human motivation.

Maslow therefore developed his elegant but essentially simple theory of the different levels of human motivation.

The basic human needs, according to Maslow, are:

physiological needs safety needs; love needs; esteem needs; self-actualization needs

Motivation Theorists and Their Theories)

It must be noted that these needs are in progression or in a hierarchy of needs for the lowest to the highest. The highest level is self - actualization, which is the point at which the human being has the most meaning in terms of his or her personal development. "The highest state of self-actualization is characterized by integrity, responsibility, magnanimity, simplicity and naturalness. Self-actualizers focus on problems external to themselves." (Motivation Theorists and Their Theories)

Maslow's hierarchy of...
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