Abraham Maslow developed the Theory of Hierarchical Needs and published it back in 1943. The theory is so ubiquitous and versatile that concepts underlying it have been modified and used as a basis of other theories dealing with ways to motivate a variety of subjects, including individuals in education.
Maslow's theory categorizes human needs in the form of a hierarchy. The most basic of human needs must be met in order to reach the next level of essential needs. The first level or the lowest level is common to all humans; it is that of physiological survival. The next level is that of safety needs which serves as the most basic motivation for action. This must be achieved in order to reach the higher level, the need for social responsibility. This is followed by the need for self esteem in the society. The final and the last stage is that of self-actualization.
Maslow's Hierarchy came from the general view of life experiences. It has been applied to those seeking an education as well as many other life situation. For instance, if a child is deprived of the basic necessities such as food, water, and sleep they cannot hope to achieve educational success. It is critical that children have plenty of the things they need to meet their needs.
Psychological demands can be dealt with once physical necessities are met. Learning is hard for children who have an abusive or neglected home life. Students need educators who will assist them in noticing potential difficulties as well as seeing the educators as people they can trust.
Once students have become comfortable and feel safe both mentally and physically, they will begin to work on social interactions. People naturally seek out friendship and peer approval, and this is important to a child's social development. While teachers might worry that this focus on social interaction will prove distracting in the classroom, they actually should encourage their students to engage in positive group interactions in a safe environment.
Only after certain levels have been achieved, can individuals focus on the important tasks related to esteem, reputation, achievement, and recognition. These are the levels that educators often wish to see their pupils reach, so that they will further excel in the classroom, reaching this goal and particular point of development is challenging and difficult.
Many teachers may feel intimidated by students who are reaching a point of independence. The student's focus on truth, wisdom, meaning, and honor may marginalize the efforts of an educator who has designed a general curriculum. This is compounded by the infrequency with which teachers are normally faced with such individuals. However, it remains true that educators are responsible for shaping the future through students, and it is these students who self-actualize that will be most likely to make a significant impact on the world as adults.
Steve Wilheir is a project management consultant. Read more
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