Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Abraham Maslow, a humanist psychologist, proposed the "Need Hierarchy Theory" in 1943. He argued that human motivation is driven by a hierarchy of needs.
According to this theory, once a lower-level need is satisfied, it ceases to be a motivator, and the individual moves to the next higher level.
The hierarchy consists of five stages, beginning with basic survival needs and ending with psychological fulfillment.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The standard Maslow pyramid consists of these five steps, from bottom to top:
1. Physiological Needs: Basic needs like food, water, and shelter. (Not mentioned in the question).
2. Safety and Security Needs (B): Protection from physical and emotional harm. In an organization, this includes job security, pension plans, and safe working conditions.
3. Belongingness/Social Needs (A): The need for affection, friendship, acceptance, and social interaction. Employees seek to build relationships with colleagues.
4. Esteem Needs (D): The desire for self-respect, autonomy, status, recognition, and attention. This level is about being valued by others.
5. Self-actualisation Needs (C): The highest level of need. It is the drive to become what one is capable of becoming. It involves personal growth and achieving one's maximum potential.
Arranging the given options in the correct hierarchical order (from lower level to higher level):
Safety Needs (B) $\rightarrow$ Belongingness Needs (A) $\rightarrow$ Esteem Needs (D) $\rightarrow$ Self-actualisation Needs (C).
This sequence matches Option (C).
Step 4: Final Answer:
The correct hierarchical sequence of Maslow's needs is (B), (A), (D), (C). Hence, (C) is the correct answer.