Consider the following statements about Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory:
(A) Maslow’s theory is widely recognised and appreciated.
(B) Maslow’s theory is still relevant because needs, no matter how they are classified, are important to understand the behaviour.
(C) Maslow’s theory helps managers to realise that the need level of an employee should be identified to provide motivation.
(D) Some of Maslow’s propositions are questioned on his steps of the motivation process.
(E) Abraham Maslow, a well-known economist, outlined the elements of an overall theory of motivation in a classic paper.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → (A), (B) and (C) only
(A) Maslow’s theory is widely recognised and appreciated. — Correct. Maslow’s theory is taken as basic to understanding motivation, and it is widely recognised and appreciated.
(B) Maslow’s theory is still relevant because needs, no matter how they are classified, are important to understand the behaviour. — Correct. The theory has been criticised, yet it stays relevant. Needs, however they are grouped, help us understand behaviour.
(C) Maslow’s theory helps managers to realise that the need level of an employee should be identified to provide motivation. — Correct. A manager must first know which level of need an employee is at. Only then can he give the right motivation.
(D) Some of Maslow’s propositions are questioned on his steps of the motivation process. — Incorrect. His propositions are questioned on his classification of needs and the hierarchy of needs. The steps of the motivation process are a separate model.
(E) Abraham Maslow, a well-known economist, outlined the elements of an overall theory of motivation in a classic paper. — Incorrect. Maslow was a well-known psychologist. He outlined his theory in a classic paper published in 1943.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation: … Abraham Maslow, a well-known psychologist in a classic paper published in 1943, outlined the elements of an overall theory of motivation. …” “Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation: … Maslow’s Theory focuses on the needs as the basis for motivation. This theory is widely recognised and appreciated. However, some of his propositions are questioned on his classification of needs and hierarchy of needs. But, despite such criticism, the theory is still relevant because needs, no matter how they are classified, are important to understand the behaviour. It helps managers to realise that need level of employee should be identified to provide motivation to them.” |