Consider the following statements about Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theor…

Consider the following statements about Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory:

(A) People’s behaviour is based on their needs, and satisfaction of such needs influences their behaviour.

(B) People’s needs are in hierarchical order, starting from higher level needs to basic needs.

(C) Safety/Security needs provide security and protection from physical and emotional harm.

(D) Affiliation/Belonging needs refer to affection, sense of belongingness, acceptance and recognition.

(E) Basic physiological needs are most basic in the hierarchy and correspond to primary needs.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Answer & explanation

Correct answer: option 3

The correct answer is Option (3) → (A), (C) and (E) only

(A) People’s behaviour is based on their needs, and satisfaction of such needs influences their behaviour. — Correct. Maslow assumed that a person’s behaviour comes from his needs. When a need is met, his behaviour changes.

(B) People’s needs are in hierarchical order, starting from higher level needs to basic needs. — Incorrect. The order is the other way round. Needs start from basic needs at the bottom and rise step by step to higher level needs.

(C) Safety/Security needs provide security and protection from physical and emotional harm. — Correct. Safety needs protect a person from physical and emotional harm. Job security, stability of income and pension plans are examples.

(D) Affiliation/Belonging needs refer to affection, sense of belongingness, acceptance and recognition. — Incorrect. Affiliation/Belonging needs cover affection, belongingness, acceptance and friendship. Recognition is an esteem need, along with self-respect, autonomy, status and attention.

(E) Basic physiological needs are most basic in the hierarchy and correspond to primary needs. — Correct. These needs sit at the base of the hierarchy. Hunger, thirst, shelter and sleep are examples, and basic salary helps to meet them.

NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation: … His theory was based on human needs. He felt that within every human being, there exists a hierarchy of five needs. These are:
(i) Basic Physiological Needs: These needs are most basic in the hierarchy and corresponds to primary needs. Hunger, thirst, shelter, sleep and sex are some examples of these needs. In the organisational context, basic salary helps to satisfy these needs.
(ii) Safety/Security Needs: These needs provide security and protection from physical and emotional harm. Examples: job security, stability of income, Pension plans etc.,
(iii) Affiliation/Belonging Needs: These needs refer to affection, sense of belongingness, acceptance and friendship.
(iv) Esteem Needs: These include factors such as self-respect, autonomy status, recognition and attention.”

“Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory of Motivation: … Maslow’s theory is based on the following assumptions:
(i) People’s behaviour is based on their needs. Satisfaction of such needs influences their behaviour.
(ii) People’s needs are in hierarchical order, starting from basic needs to other higher level needs.”