Final answer:
A major criticism of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is its subjective nature, with critics suggesting it does not always reflect real-world behaviors, and its humanistic approach, which relies on qualitative rather than quantitative research.
Step-by-step explanation:
A major criticism of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is that it is subjective. Critics argue that Maslow's theory does not always align with real-world phenomena, as it suggests people must satisfy lower-level needs before higher-level ones. However, there are instances where individuals prioritize higher-level needs over basic survival needs, such as Mahatma Gandhi's hunger strikes for political causes. Another criticism is that it is overly humanistic, focusing mainly on positive aspects of human nature and the potential for self-actualization. This perspective contends that traditional experimental methods used in the sciences cannot fully capture the complexity of the human condition. Consequently, humanistic psychology has been criticized for its qualitative approach and lack of measurable data.