According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, which type of needs is prioritized before others?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is structured in a pyramid format, representing the different levels of human needs that individuals pursue sequentially. At the base of this pyramid are physiological needs, which include the most basic requirements for human survival, such as food, water, warmth, and rest. These needs are fundamental to maintaining life and must be met before individuals can focus on higher-level needs.

Prioritizing physiological needs is essential because if these basic requirements are not satisfied, an individual’s ability to pursue further development, such as safety, social belonging, esteem, or self-actualization, is compromised. For example, someone who is physically starving or lacks adequate shelter will find it extremely difficult to engage in social relationships or pursue personal goals. Hence, the fulfillment of these needs lays the groundwork for reaching higher levels of personal development and emotional well-being.

The other types of needs—self-actualization, belonging, and cognitive needs—are situated above physiological needs in the hierarchy, which means they can only be prioritized once the foundational physiological needs have been adequately addressed.