September, 2014
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a motivational theory developed by the renowned psychologist and humanist Abraham Harold Maslow (April 1, 1908 – June 8, 1970). Being disappointed by the behaviourist theories of the day that primarily focused on the study of problematic behaviour, Maslow took a different turn and did in-depth studies on the motivational part of the human conduct. He explored areas responsible for driving people's behaviour and happiness. For Maslow, any behaviour is a complex act that aim at the achievement of a certain goal. Human beings are goal oriented and as such they tend to channel their behaviour according to the motivational need underlying it.
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In a paper called Theory of Human Motivation (1943), Maslow conceptualized a hierarchy of needs pyramid composed of five interrelated levels. He mapped out the human needs according to their corresponding level. At the bottom of the pyramid are the basic physiological needs such as the need for food, air, sleep, and water. Next comes the safety needs that include things such as security of employment, health, property..etc. The third level embeds the belongingness needs that include love, friendship, intimacy and family. Further up the pyramid is the esteem needs that relate to things such as confidence, achievement, self-esteem, and respect. At the top of the pyramid is self-actualization which is the highest complex need that that has to do with one's self-fulfillment, creativity, innovation, personal growth...etc.
These five levels of need are organized along a continuum of developing complexity starting with the basic physiological needs, to social needs ( belongingness and esteem) to the higher need self-actualization. Maslow argues that for us to achieve higher order needs such as esteem and self-actualization, we definitely need to meet the basic or deficiency needs.As is the case with any behaviouristic theory, Maslow Hierarchy of Needs has some far reaching echoes in the education field. It helped educationists and pedagogues better understand and explain why students behave the way they do. But this theory has also its share of criticism. However, it is beyond the scope of this short article to talk about them here. I would rather refer you to the links below.
After this short refresher about Maslow's theory of needs, I want you now to have a look at this wonderful chart created by Anthony VonBank in which he integrated technology with Maslow's five level needs. For each of the needs category, Anthony came up with a set of technological needs that go with it. Read on to learn more about this " Technology Hierarchy of Needs".
Check out the full original chart here.
References:
Maslow Hierarchy of Needs from Simply Psychology
Maslow Hierarchy of Needs from Learning Theories
Maslow Hierarchy of Needs from Business Balls
Maslow Hierarchy of Needs Printables
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