Final answer:
Maslow's hierarchy of needs has been criticized for its linear and subjective nature, and its lack of accounting for complex human behaviors, like self-sacrifice, which oppose the hierarchy's prescribed sequence of needs fulfillment.
Step-by-step explanation:
A major criticism of Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs is its subjective nature and inability to account for real-world phenomena. The model suggests that individuals must fulfill lower-level needs, such as physiological and safety needs before they can address higher-level needs like self-actualization. Critics argue that this linear progression does not always align with how people actually prioritize their needs in the real world.
Instances of self-sacrifice, as evidenced by figures like Mohandas K. Gandhi, defy the hierarchy's sequence by showing that people can pursue higher-level motives even when their own basic needs are not met. This illustrates the hierarchal model's limitation in explaining a range of human behaviors and the potential existence of additional factors influencing motivation, such as self-transcendence above self-actualization. Furthermore, the model's focus on individual needs may not adequately represent the importance of community and cultural influences in shaping behavior.