Final answer:
The top level of Maslow's hierarchy is self-actualization, which is the ongoing process of achieving one's full potential. Maslow later added self-transcendence above self-actualization, representing the pursuit of meaning beyond oneself.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first level of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy is not at the very top; it is at the base of the pyramid and includes physiological needs crucial for survival. The uppermost level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs is identified as self-actualization. According to Maslow, individuals must satisfy lower-level basic needs before moving on to meet higher-level growth needs. Once an individual has met their basic physiological and safety needs, they can pursue higher-level needs, with self-actualization as the pinnacle of personal development, where one seeks to achieve their full potential.
However, Maslow later proposed an additional level above self-actualization called self-transcendence, which involves striving for meaning and purpose beyond the self, often manifested through altruistic and humanitarian actions. Despite the popularity of Maslow's hierarchy, it has been criticized for its subjective nature and its failure to consider certain real-world phenomena, which sometimes demonstrate that individuals can pursue and exhibit higher-level motives, potentially sacrificing their own needs for a greater cause.