Business Degree Certification Practice Test

According to Abraham Maslow, what motivates people's actions?

1. Money and greed

2. Time pressures

3. Unmet needs

4. Fear of failure

The correct answer is: Unmet needs

Abraham Maslow's motivation theory is grounded in the concept of a hierarchy of needs, which proposes that individuals are driven to fulfill their most pressing needs first before addressing higher-level ones. According to this theory, human actions are motivated primarily by unmet needs that arise at various levels, ranging from basic physiological needs to more complex psychological needs such as esteem and self-actualization. When an individual's basic needs, like food, safety, and social belonging, are not met, they are motivated to take action to satisfy those needs. Only after these foundational needs are satisfied can they pursue higher-level needs, such as those pertaining to personal growth and fulfillment. This framework helps explain why people prioritize their actions based on their immediate circumstances and perceived shortages. The other options do not encapsulate Maslow's view of motivation as effectively. While money and greed may drive some actions, they do not represent a fundamental motivational framework based on the hierarchical satisfaction of needs. Time pressures can influence behavior but do not inherently motivate in the same way as fundamental needs do. Similarly, fear of failure can deter actions, but it does not serve as a primary motivational factor within Maslow's hierarchy. Thus, the correct focus on unmet needs illustrates the essence of what drives human behavior according to