Final answer:
According to Maslow's hierarchy of needs, the first level that someone would seek to fulfill is d) Physiological needs, which include essentials such as food, water, and rest. Only after satisfying these fundamental requirements, an individual can then focus on safety, belonging, esteem, and eventually self-actualization.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Maslow's theoretical hierarchy of needs, the level someone would seek to fulfill first is d) Physiological needs. Maslow's hierarchy is a model that outlines the progression through which human needs are met, starting with the most fundamental requirements. At the base of the pyramid are physiological needs, such as food, water, warmth, and rest, which are essential for survival. Once these basic needs are satisfied, individuals can move up the hierarchy to focus on safety needs, which involve personal security, employment, resources, health, and property.
After physiological and safety needs have been adequately addressed, individuals seek to fulfill social needs, including relationships and friendships. This is followed by esteem needs, which consist of self-esteem, status, recognition, strength, and freedom. Lastly, at the peak of the pyramid lies self-actualization, which is about realizing personal potential, self-fulfillment, seeking personal growth, and peak experiences. Maslow believed that self-actualization could only be pursued once all other needs lower on the pyramid had been largely satisfied.
The hierarchy is often depicted as a pyramid to illustrate that the needs at the lower levels must be met before individuals can attend to needs higher up. Within the humanistic approach to psychology, self-actualization reflects an emphasis on positive aspects of human nature. Abraham Maslow suggested that this is an ongoing, life-long process and that only a small percentage of people reach this state of actualization.