This does not mean that you can’t take a character who is barely able to satisfy even the lowest needs and have them show exceptional courage, strength & will by sacrificing what they have for another….but it does limit the likelihood that it will be believable without the proper set-up.

My Two Cents; Cheers!
-Ubu

It also is important to consider that folks don’t usually have much sustained/long term interest in the “Higher Needs” when “Lower Needs” are unsatisfied for any significant time. For example, are you LIKELY to spend your last dollars on yoga class if you’ve recently been evicted from your home and haven’t eaten in two days? People focus less on bettering themselves, symbols of esteem, and social groups when they feel un-safe, insecure, threatened, or starved for food or love.

If your story involves a quest to put things back as they were before the problem came up, you may want to be sure the nature of the quest is justified by the problem. It won't make much sense if you're heroin overcomes incredible odds to get the golden goose's egg if she and her family are all independently wealthy at the time she starts.