Final answer:
After satisfying basic deficiency needs, people pursue higher psychological needs and self-actualization in Maslow's hierarchy, potentially leading to self-transcendence, which focuses on a purpose beyond oneself.
Step-by-step explanation:
After people have met their basic deficiency needs, according to Abraham Maslow, they can begin to pursue higher-level psychological needs and ultimately self-actualization.
Once the fundamental needs such as food, water, shelter, and safety are satisfied, individuals then seek fulfillment of social needs, esteem, and recognition, which are essential for developing self-worth and confidence.
Beyond these, the pinnacle of Maslow's pyramid is the need for self-actualization, which involves realizing one's full potential and possibly reaching a state of self-transcendence, where one seeks to achieve a purpose beyond oneself, as evident in the actions of figures like Mohandas K. Gandhi.
It's important to note that Maslow later added a level above self-actualization, known as self-transcendence. This highest tier represents striving for meaning and purpose beyond one's own personal needs, which can manifest in acts of altruism and social contribution.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs provides a framework suggesting that people move from fulfilling basic survival needs to higher-order psychological needs and self-fulfillment as they progress through different levels of the hierarchy.