Maslow's Motivation Theory or Need of Hierarchy

Description of Maslow's Motivation Theory

Abraham Maslow is considered to be the father of Humanistic Psychology,also known as the "Third Force". Humanistic Psychology incorporatesaspects of both Behavioral Psychology and Psychoanalytic Psychology. Behaviorists believe that human behavior is controlled by external environmentalfactors. Psychoanalytic Psychology is based on the idea that human behavior iscontrolled by internal unconscious forces. Though he studied both Behavioraland Psychoanalytic Psychologies, Maslow rejected the idea that human behavior iscontrolled by only internal or external forces. Instead, Maslow's motivationthrory states that man's behavior is controlled by both internal and externalfactors. In addition he emphasizes that humans have the unique ability to makechoices and excercise free-will.Maslow showed little interest in animal or laboratory studies of humanbehavior. He chose instead to collect data for his theories by studyingoutstanding individuals. His studies led him to believe that people havecertain needs which are unchanging and genetic in origin. These needs are thesame in all cultures and are both physiological and psychological. Maslowdescribed these needs as being hierarchal in nature, meaning that some needs aremore basic or more powerful than others and as these needs are satisfied, otherhigher needs emerge.

Explanation of Hierarchy

General

Maslow presents a hierarchy of needs which can be divided into basic needsand growth needs. One must satisfy lower level basic needs before progressingon to meet higher level growth needs. Once these needs have been reasonablysatisfied, one may be able to reach the highest level called self-actualization.Every individual is capable and has the desire to move up the hierarchytoward a level of self-actualization. Unfortunately, progress is oftendisrupted by failure to meet lower level needs. Life experiences includingdivorce and loss of job may cause an individual to fluctuate between levels ofthe hierarchy. Maslow noted only one in ten individuals become fullyself-actualized because our society rewards motivation primarily based onesteem, love and other social needs.

Basic Needs

* Physiological: need for sleep and rest , food, drink, shelter, sex,and oxygen * Safety: need to be safe from harm, for a predictable world withconsistency, fairness, routine, for sense of stability and security.

Growth Needs

* Love and Belonging: need for love and affectionate relationships,belonging to a group, and caring * Esteem: two components ...................................................................................... self-respect: desire for confidence, competence, adequacy,achievement, mastery ....... respect of others: desire foracceptance, recognition, reputation, appreciation, status, prestige * Understanding and Knowledge: need to satisfy curiosity, explore, discover,find solutions, look for relationships and meaning, and seek intellectualchallenges * Aesthetics: need for beauty in surroundings * Self-actualization: need for growth, development and utilization ofpotential, becoming all that one can be, self-fulfillment ....

Importance of Maslow's Theory to Education

The most important educational goal is for students to learn. Another important goal is to make this newly gained knowledge and informationpurposefual and meaningful to the students so that it may be retained and usefulthrought their lives. An essential factor involved in meeting these goals ismotivation. If students are unmotivated in one way or another, it is likelythat little learning will take place, or if by chance some learning should takeplace, it is probable that it will not be retained.This theory has great impact on educational structure. In order tomaximize on the effectiveness of school-wide and individual classroom teachingprograms, administrators and teachers must consider student needs and theirhierarchial order. This must be a top priority in the development of theseprograms so that students have the capability of reaching their highest levelsof potential. For instance, if a student has not had her breakfast before shecomes to school, she will not be concentrating on learning; she will beproccupied with the need for food. Because there are many children who come toschool without a proper breakfast, school systems must meet this need byproviding breakfast programs so that these children will be more likely to learneffectively.