Maslow is famous for developing the theory of the hierarchy of needs. The theory of hierarchy has been widely applied in different fields: from psychology to education. It is essential for people to meet basic needs before they can develop to higher levels of growth. Maslow’s hierarchy supports academic and social-emotional growth by emphasizing the importance of meeting basic needs before achieving higher levels of self-actualization, achievement, and interpersonal relationships.
The core of Maslow’s theory is a need of individuals that must be satisfied. These physiological and safety needs should be met before progressing to the other levels of growth. Mentioned needs consist of food, safety, and shelter, creating an environment where higher levels of growth can be achieved (Hopper, 2020). The philosophical context includes the thought that a person must firstly meet basic needs so that it would be possible to pursue higher goals and achieve higher levels. Hence, the philosophical side of the theory suggests that a basic need should be satisfied to provide a higher level.
While progressing, people are moving towards levels of growth that are more focused on psychological and self-fulfillment needs. These needs include self-esteem, social belongingness, and self-actualization (Kurt, 2021). In this case, higher levels of growth can support academic achievement and success. For example, students who feel the connection between them and peers or teachers are better at engaging in academic activities and perform better academically. Thus, further development supports the academic achievement of individuals.
In addition, Maslow’s hierarchy theory supports social-emotional growth by emphasizing the importance of basic psychological needs. The theory emphasizes the importance of meeting basic psychological needs, including belongingness and self-esteem, which are crucial for social-emotional development (Kurt, 2021). Moreover, making students feel special and prioritized will improve their social-emotional growth. Therefore, highlighting and supporting basic psychological needs will improve social-emotional development among children and adults.
In conclusion, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs helps understand human motivation, growth, and its impact on academic and social-emotional development. From a philosophical standpoint, the theory highlights the importance of meeting basic needs before achieving higher levels. In addition, the hierarchy supports social-emotional growth by emphasizing the importance of meeting basic psychological needs and supports academic growth by achieving a higher level so that academic background is improved.
References
Hopper, E. (2020). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explained. ThoughtCo. Web.
Kurt, S. (2021). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in education. Education Library. Web.