In Maslow's hierarchy, which concept suggests that higher-level needs are activated only after lower-level needs are met?

The concept that suggests higher-level needs are activated only after lower-level needs are met is known as prepotency. In the context of Maslow's hierarchy of needs, prepotency refers to the idea that individuals must satisfy basic needs, such as physiological and safety needs, before they can focus on higher-level needs like belongingness, esteem, and eventually self-actualization. This implies a sequential process where each level of need must be fulfilled to some degree before moving on to the next higher level.

Understanding prepotency helps clarify why individuals may become dissatisfied with their jobs or personal lives if their lower-level needs are not being met, regardless of their status or achievements in other areas. For instance, an employee experiencing financial instability may struggle to feel motivated at work due to the prepotency of their unmet physiological or safety needs.

This framework is essential for studying motivation within organizations and designing environments that foster satisfaction at all levels of need, ultimately leading to improved employee engagement and productivity.