What is a criticism of Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory proposing that human motivations are organized in a pyramid structure, starting with basic physiological needs and progressing to higher level needs such as esteem and self-actualization. A notable criticism of this framework is that some individuals can and do achieve significant goals or personal growth even when their lower-level needs, such as safety or social belonging, are unmet. For example, a person might pursue artistic success while facing economic hardship. This suggests that the order of needs is not as rigid as Maslow proposed and that individuals can be motivated by higher aspirations regardless of their situational challenges.

This observation highlights a key limitation of the hierarchy—namely, that it may not account for the complexities of human motivation in all contexts, where personal perseverance or alternative motivators could lead to achievement despite unmet foundational needs. Additionally, this criticism emphasizes the variability of human experiences, acknowledging that individual circumstances can greatly affect how needs are prioritized.