The document outlines Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory which proposes that people are motivated to fulfill basic needs before moving on to other needs. The hierarchy consists of 5 levels from lowest to highest: 1) physiological needs like food, water, shelter, and sex, 2) safety needs like security and protection, 3) social needs like friendship and belonging, 4) esteem needs like respect, autonomy, and recognition, and 5) self-actualization needs like achieving one's full potential. The theory is that lower level needs must be satisfied before higher level needs.