US psychologist Abraham Maslow's 1943 essay "A Theory of Human Motivation" established his idea of humanistic psychology as a "third force" in the field. Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis developed the idea of understanding the mind through dialogue between patient and analyst. The behaviorism of Ivan Pavlov and John Watson focused on comprehending it through behaviors that can be measured, trained, and changed. Maslow, however, outlined a new approach to understanding the mind, saying humans are motivated by their need to satisfy a series of hierarchical needs, starting with the most essential first. He thought it important for the advancement of psychology to identify, group, and rank them in terms of priority.
While Maslow's psychological influence may have declined since his death in 1970, his most recognizable legacy is this concept of a "hierarchy of needs." It remains highly significant in the fields of strategy, marketing, and management, where it is believed that his ideas can lead to higher productivity if applied to the running of organizations.