Final answer:
The claim that Abraham Maslow was the first to recognize the role of human thoughts in motivation is false. While Maslow is known for his hierarchy of needs theory, earlier theorists like William James also contributed to the understanding of motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that Abraham Maslow was the first to recognize that human thoughts play a role in motivation is false. Before Maslow, there were other theorists such as William James who proposed theories about human motivation. Maslow is, however, most well-known for proposing the hierarchy of human needs, which is a theory of motivation that emphasizes the importance of achieving one's full potential through self-actualization. Maslow's hierarchy begins with basic physiological needs and moves up to safety, love and belonging, esteem, and finally self-actualization. His theory was part of the humanistic psychology movement, which arose as a response to both psychoanalytic theory and behaviorism, focusing on personal growth and the potential for good in all people.