Glossary/Strategy & Frameworks/Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Strategy & Frameworks
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
Abraham Maslow's 1943 theory ranking human needs from physiological and safety through belonging and esteem to self-actualization, widely used in messaging.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is Abraham Maslow's 1943 theory ranking human needs from physiological and safety needs through belonging and esteem to self-actualization. Marketers use it to connect products and messages to the underlying motivation they address, from basic security to status and personal growth, though modern psychology questions its strict ordering.