Maslow's "Theory of Human Motivation" (1954, Ch. 5) asserts that human motives emerge in a sequential pattern according to a hierarchy .of five need levels. Listed in order from lowest to highest,
The hierarchical nature of these need levels manifests itself in two ways. First, Maslow predicts a process of successive prepotency among the five levels. For a given individual at a given point in time, one class Cf needs will be more salient than any other. Then, as those needs become satisfied, needs at the next higher level will become stronger (i.e., more :salient). The second important characteristic of the hierarchy is its prediction ~)f a decrease in the strength of a given need following its satisfaction. Thus, for example, when the safety needs are largely satisfied, not only do the affiliation needs increase, but also the safety needs decrease. Similar decreases are asserted to occur at all other levels upon gratification at those levels. In short, "a satisfied need is not a motivator." (Maslow, 1954, p. 105). This theory, then, asserts that the importance of higher needs increases in a consistent, sequential pattern as lower needs become satisfied and