Numerous questions have emerged about the what motivates us, such as whether or not psychological needs motivate our behavior and which needs must be met in order to remain psychologically healthy. While Sigmund Freud postulated that human behavior is motivated by aggressive needs, humanist Abraham Maslow suggested that both basic biological needs as well as higher-level psychological needs were essential human motivators.
In contrast to many psychological theories that focus on abnormal behavior or negative experiences, psychologist Abraham Maslow's work centered almost exclusively on the positive side of the human experience. His well known hierarchy of needs presents a theory of motivation that focuses on the importance of personal growth and self-actualization.
First proposed in 1943, the hierarchy represents various needs that motivate human behavior. Maslow's hierarchy of needs is most often displayed as a pyramid, with lowest levels of the pyramid made up of the most basic needs while more complex needs can be found at the top of the pyramid.
Learn more about Maslow's hierarchy of needs.