Meaning: 'Met' means to satisfy or fulfill a requirement or need, indicating that physiological needs must be addressed first.

Wrong options:

• talked: 'Talked' implies verbal communication and does not relate to fulfilling needs, making it contextually irrelevant.
• collaborated: 'Collaborated' suggests working together, which does not apply to the individual fulfillment of needs in this context.
• insulated: 'Insulated' means to protect from outside influence, which does not fit the context of satisfying basic human needs.

Correct answer: encompassing

Explanation: The word 'encompassing' is appropriate as it indicates that love and belonging include or cover friendships, family, and intimate relationships. This fits both grammatically and contextually, as it describes the broad nature of these social needs.

Meaning: 'Encompassing' means to include or contain something within a larger scope, highlighting that love and belonging cover various types of relationships.

Wrong options:

• differentiating: 'Differentiating' means distinguishing between things, which does not fit the context of describing the nature of love and belonging.
• relating: 'Relating' implies a connection but does not convey the comprehensive nature of love and belonging as effectively as 'encompassing.'
• spiraling: 'Spiraling' suggests a twisting motion or increase, which is unrelated to the concept of social needs.

Correct answer: full

Explanation: The word 'full' fits grammatically as it describes the extent of one's potential. In this context, it indicates achieving the complete or maximum capacity of one's abilities, aligning well with the concept of self-actualization.

Meaning: 'Full' means complete or having reached the maximum level, referring to the idea of realizing one's complete potential.

Wrong options:

• overflowing: 'Overflowing' suggests an excess, which does not accurately describe the concept of potential in this context.
• motivated: 'Motivated' refers to having the desire to act, which does not directly relate to the idea of achieving potential.
• native: 'Native' refers to being born in a particular place or inherent qualities, which does not fit the context of potential achievement.

Correct answer: examining

Explanation: The word 'examining' is the correct gerund form that fits the sentence structure, indicating an ongoing action of research. It aligns with the context of contemporary research actively investigating Maslow's hierarchy.

Meaning: 'Examining' means to inspect or study something closely, indicating that researchers are currently looking into the hierarchy.

Wrong options:

• to examine: 'To examine' is an infinitive form that does not fit grammatically in this context, which requires a gerund.
• with examination: 'With examination' is a prepositional phrase that does not fit the sentence structure and lacks clarity in this context.
• in examining: 'In examining' is also a prepositional phrase that does not fit the grammatical structure required here.

Correct answer: applications

Explanation: The word 'applications' fits grammatically as it refers to practical uses or implementations of Maslow's theory. This aligns with the context of discussing how the theory can be utilized in various fields.

Meaning: 'Applications' means the practical use of a theory or concept, indicating how Maslow's hierarchy can be applied in real-world scenarios.

Wrong options:

• purposes: 'Purposes' refers to reasons for doing something, which does not convey the practical implementation aspect as effectively as 'applications.'
• blueprints: 'Blueprints' suggests detailed plans or designs, which does not fit the context of using a psychological theory.
• communities: 'Communities' refers to groups of people, which does not relate to the practical uses of a psychological framework.