Final answer:
Maslow's theory suggests that basic human needs must be fulfilled before higher-level needs can be addressed, culminating in self-actualization and then self-transcendence, despite some criticisms for not fully accounting for all real-world behaviors.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that Abraham Maslow stated some human needs must be satisfied before others. Maslow's hierarchy of needs begins with physiological requirements necessary for survival at the base, ascends to security and safety, proceeds to love and belongingness, then to esteem needs, and finally culminates at self-actualization. According to Maslow, higher-level needs such as self-actualization cannot be pursued until the more fundamental needs are satisfied. Furthermore, Maslow later suggested an even higher level of need termed self-transcendence, indicating a pursuit for meaning beyond oneself.
However, Maslow's theory has been met with criticism for not fully accounting for real-world behaviors, such as instances where people might sacrifice their basic needs for a greater cause, demonstrated by historical figures like Mohandas K. Gandhi. Despite these critiques, Maslow's framework continues to influence the understanding of human motivation and the journey towards self-actualization and beyond.