Understanding the news of a woman selling her child to obtain food can be best explained using the theory of hierarchical needs. This theory, also known as Maslow's hierarchy of needs, was proposed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in 1943. It suggests that individuals have a set of needs that are arranged in a hierarchical order, with basic physiological needs at the bottom and higher-level needs at the top.

1. Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:
The theory of hierarchical needs is based on the understanding that individuals have different levels of needs and these needs influence their behavior. According to Maslow, there are five levels of needs in the hierarchy:
- Physiological needs: These are the basic needs for survival, such as food, water, and shelter.
- Safety needs: These needs include the need for security, stability, and protection from harm.
- Love and belongingness needs: These needs involve the desire for social connections, love, and a sense of belonging.
- Esteem needs: These needs include the need for self-esteem, self-confidence, and recognition from others.
- Self-actualization needs: This is the highest level of need, which involves personal growth, fulfillment, and reaching one's full potential.

2. Application to the given scenario:
In the case of the woman selling her child to obtain food, it can be inferred that she was driven by her physiological needs. The need for food is a basic physiological need, and if it is not met, individuals may resort to extreme measures to fulfill it. The fact that the woman was willing to sell her child suggests that she was in a desperate situation where her basic needs were not being met.

3. Lower-level needs taking precedence:
According to Maslow's theory, lower-level needs must be satisfied before higher-level needs can be pursued. In this case, the woman's need for food (a physiological need) took precedence over other needs such as safety, love, and belongingness. It is likely that she felt she had no other choice but to sell her child in order to fulfill this basic need.

4. Impact of unmet needs:
This news highlights the devastating consequences of unmet needs, particularly at the lower levels of the hierarchy. When individuals are unable to satisfy their basic physiological needs, it can lead to extreme behaviors and moral dilemmas. Understanding the hierarchy of needs helps shed light on the underlying motivations and factors that contribute to such distressing situations.

In conclusion, the theory of hierarchical needs provides a framework for understanding the news of a woman selling her child to obtain food. By recognizing the importance of basic physiological needs and their impact on behavior, we can gain insight into the desperate actions individuals may take when their basic needs are not being met.