Final answer:
The most basic or lowest-level needs in Maslow's hierarchy of human motives are physiological needs such as food, water, and shelter. These needs must be met before an individual can focus on meeting higher-level needs in the hierarchy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most basic or lowest-level need in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of human motives includes the need for physiological necessities. At the base of Maslow's pyramid are physiological needs that are essential for survival; these include necessities like food, water, and shelter. Only upon satisfying these fundamental needs can individuals move on to fulfill higher-level needs such as safety, love and belonging, esteem, and ultimately, self-actualization. Maslow emphasized that higher needs could only be pursued once the more basic physiological needs are met, thus outlining a progression through which human motivation generally moves.