Which need is at the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy?

• A. Self-actualization
• B. Safety and security
• C. Love and belonging
• D. Physiological needs

Answer: (D)

In Maslow’s view, the most basic needs for human survival sit at the bottom of the hierarchy. These physiological needs include air, water, food, shelter, sleep, and warmth. They are placed first because they must be satisfied for a person to survive at all; until these needs are met, there’s little capacity or motivation to pursue higher-level goals.

Once these fundamental requirements are taken care of, a person can start focusing on safety and security, then on belonging and love, followed by esteem, and finally self-actualization at the top. So the bottom-most need is the physiological one, since it underpins everything else.