When looking at human motives the following theorist developed a hierarchy of five needs that range from basic physiological needs to groeth or meta-needs

Abraham Maslow proposed Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs in 1943. His paper, "A Theory of Human Motivation" presented the idea that the most basic needs such as food were at the base of the hierarchy and must therefor be met before the higher levels of needs such as safety, love, esteem, and self-actualization.

The theorist you are talking about is none other than Abraham Maslow. He developed the Maslow's hierarchy of needs wherein basic human needs range from the physiological, security, and love and belongingness needs to the esteem and self-actualization of the individual.