Final answer:
The correct answer is C. A.H. Maslow's hierarchy of need, which describes a pyramid of human needs from basic physiological needs to self-actualization and even self-transcendence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The theory that states a person's motivational desires are based on levels of need is C. A.H. Maslow's hierarchy of need. Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs illustrates a five-tier model of human needs, often depicted as a pyramid. At the base are physiological needs like food and water, above which lie safety needs, social needs like love and belonging, esteem needs, and at the top is self-actualization—the fulfillment of one's full potential. Besides the primary pyramid, Maslow later suggested a level above self-actualization called self-transcendence, describing a need to transcend beyond the personal self.
Maslow's hierarchy is a staple in humanistic psychology, emphasizing a qualitative approach to understanding human motivation, contrary to reductionist experimentation. It is worth noting that while Maslow's theory is widely recognized, it has faced criticism for its subjective nature and failure to account for certain real-world phenomena.