Which theory proposes that humans are motivated by five main needs and move to the next level as each is met?

• A. Herzberg's Hygiene Theory of Motivation
• B. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• C. McGregor's X and Y Theory
• D. Theory Z

Answer: (B)

Think of motivation as a ladder of needs arranged from basic to higher levels. The theory that says people are motivated by five main needs and move to the next level as each is met is Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It places physiological needs at the base (food, water, shelter), then safety, then belongingness and love, then esteem, and finally self-actualization at the top. When lower-level needs are satisfied, attention shifts upward to the next level, guiding behavior and goals. This framing helps explain why simply offering money or good conditions isn’t always enough—once basic conditions are met, people seek recognition, meaning, and growth. Among the options, this is the only theory that clearly articulates five needs in a sequential progression, whereas the others describe different ideas: the two-factor theory focuses on hygiene versus motivators, X and Y cover managerial assumptions about people, and Theory Z emphasizes long-term organizational culture and practices rather than a fixed hierarchy of needs.