Maslow's humanistic theory of motivation has difficulty in explaining why
A) a person would ask for dessert after eating a delicious meal.
B) two people would fall in love.
C) you study hard to do well on your exams.
D) a mother would risk death in order to protect her child.
E) you go to sleep earlier than usual when you are feeling tired.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Maslow's theory, which is organized hierarchically from basic physiological needs up to self-actualization, struggles to explain acts of self-sacrifice such as a mother risking her life for her child. This is because such acts can contradict the hierarchy, where safety needs are prioritized after physiological needs, yet here they are overridden by a higher-level need (love/belonging or even self-actualization).

Maslow's Humanistic Theory of Motivation Has Difficulty in Explaining Why