| Introduction: Maslow in the Big AppleAbraham Maslow | | | | pursuit of knowledge. Therefore, when it comes to the |
| was born in New York in 1908 to poor, uneducated | | | | question of the most valid means for acquiring |
| Russian immigrants. He was the oldest of seven | | | | knowledge of the world, Humanists reject arbitrary |
| children, and therefore pushed by his parents to | | | | faith, authority, revelation, and altered states of |
| succeed in education where they had not. Originally | | | | consciousness.3. Humanism is a philosophy of |
| studying to be a lawyer, he found it to be of little | | | | imagination. Humanists recognize that intuitive feelings, |
| interest and eventually shifted over to psychology | | | | hunches, speculation, flashes of inspiration, emotion, |
| where he excelled. Maslow went on to receive his | | | | altered states of consciousness, and even religious |
| PhD in Psychology at the University of Wisconsin, | | | | experience, while not valid means to acquire |
| under the tutelage of Harry Harlow, famous for | | | | knowledge, remain useful sources of ideas that can |
| experimentation with rhesus monkeys and attachment | | | | lead us to new ways of looking at the world. These |
| behavior. After some time he returned to New York | | | | ideas, after they have been assessed rationally for |
| and began studying human sexuality. In addition to this | | | | their usefulness, can then be put to work, often as |
| study, during the years of teaching, he had the | | | | alternate approaches for solving problems.4. Humanism |
| opportunity to meet many well-respected | | | | is a philosophy for the here and now. Humanists |
| psychologists which further helped to shape his | | | | regard human values as making sense only in the |
| thoughts on the human needs. The final event which | | | | context of human life rather than in the promise of a |
| led Maslow to move in the humanistic direction came | | | | supposed life after death.5. Humanism is a philosophy |
| from the study of the development of the concept of | | | | of compassion. Humanist ethics is solely concerned |
| "self-actualization". It was this study that led Maslow to | | | | with meeting human needs and answering human |
| develop his famous Hierarchy of Needs Theory.[1]Food | | | | problems--for both the individual and society--and |
| for thought: What humans really needUntil Maslow | | | | devotes no attention to the satisfaction of the desires |
| began to develop his theories, most studies on human | | | | of supposed theological entities.6. Humanism is a |
| nature focused on biology, achievement or power to | | | | realistic philosophy. Humanists recognize the existence |
| explain the forces that drive us.Maslow postulated that | | | | of moral dilemmas and the need for careful |
| there were five levels of basic needs that every | | | | consideration of immediate and future consequences |
| human attempts to attain: | | | | in moral decision making.7. Humanism is in tune with the |
| Externally-Satisfied Needs (basic needs that every | | | | science of today. Humanists therefore recognize that |
| individual must satisfy before they can progress).1. | | | | we live in a natural universe of great size and age that |
| Physiological - I'm hungry.2. Safety - I'm | | | | we evolved on this planet over a long period of time, |
| scared.Internally-Satisfied Needs (needs leading to | | | | that there is no compelling evidence for a separable |
| enlightenment and understanding.3. Social - I'm lonely.4. | | | | "soul," and that human beings have certain built-in |
| Esteem - I can't.5. Self Actualization - I can!In the 1970s, | | | | needs that effectively form the basis for any |
| Maslow further split this hierarchy up into a total of | | | | human-oriented value system.8. Humanism is in tune |
| eight levels:[2]1) Physiological: hunger, thirst, bodily | | | | with today's enlightened social thought. Humanists are |
| comforts, etc.;2) Safety/security: out of danger;3) | | | | committed to civil liberties, human rights, church-state |
| Belonging and Love: affiliate with others, be accepted; | | | | separation, the extension of participatory democracy |
| and4) Esteem: to achieve, be competent, gain approval | | | | not only in government but in the workplace and |
| and recognition.5) Cognitive: to know, to understand, | | | | education, an expansion of global consciousness and |
| and explore; (new)6) Aesthetic: symmetry, order, and | | | | exchange of products and ideas internationally, and an |
| beauty; (new)7) Self-actualization: to find self-fulfillment | | | | open-ended approach to solving social problems, an |
| and realize one's potential; and8) Self-transcendence: | | | | approach that allows for the testing of new |
| to connect to something beyond the ego or to help | | | | alternatives.9. Humanism is in tune with new |
| others find self-fulfillment and realize their potential. | | | | technological developments. Humanists are willing to |
| (new) (This concept is relatively new and many | | | | take part in emerging scientific and technological |
| authors such as Dr. Stephen covey express similar | | | | discoveries in order to exercise their moral influence on |
| views.)[3]Another way to look at the Needs is to break | | | | these revolutions as they come about, especially in the |
| it into "D-Needs" (Deficiency) and "B-Needs" (Being). | | | | interest of protecting the environment.10. Humanism is, |
| Maslow believed that the deficiency needs, once | | | | in sum, a philosophy for those in love with life. |
| satisfied ceased to be a driving force for the individual, | | | | Humanists take responsibility for their own lives and |
| and they were then free to move upward to | | | | relish the adventure of being part of new discoveries, |
| developing themselves.If we follow the traditional | | | | seeking new knowledge, exploring new options. Instead |
| hierarchical form, we can see that each need forms | | | | of finding solace in prefabricated answers to the great |
| the basis of the next need above it in the pyramid. | | | | questions of life, Humanists enjoy the open-endedness |
| Without these previous foundations, Maslow believed | | | | of a quest and the freedom of discovery that this |
| that it is impossible to move on to the next stage in the | | | | entails.What is holding us back?If reaching the summit |
| hierarchy.[4]In spite of the fact that it is very | | | | of the mountain of self-actualization were easy, |
| well-known and intrinsically comforting, there seems to | | | | everyone would be enlightened, happy, hard-working, |
| be little hard evidence that the theory actually applies | | | | creative, and wealthy. We would all strive to take |
| to people in general. Even Maslow admitted to this.[5]A | | | | responsibility for our actions, and attempt to improve |
| learning experienceMaslow's Hierarchy of Needs has | | | | the situation around us by developing new and unique |
| had a dramatic influence on the field of education. | | | | ideas. Unfortunately, this is not happening. What is |
| Traditional beliefs regarding educational methodology | | | | holding us back from reaching our "fully functional, |
| have shifted to a more humanistic approach, with the | | | | healthy personality"?I concur with Maslow that society |
| focus on meeting the students' basic needs in order to | | | | and the education system are preventing individuals |
| assist them to progress.The most important goal in | | | | from reaching their full potential. Here is what Maslow |
| education is to learn, followed by developing an | | | | has to say on the matter:"The state of being without a |
| understanding of the material to retain it, and apply it in | | | | system of values is psychopathogenic, we are |
| life. In order to do this, the students need to be | | | | learning. The human being needs a framework of |
| motivated enough to work hard to achieve this goal. | | | | values, a philosophy of life, a religion or |
| Without motivation to learn it is unlikely that the | | | | religion-surrogate to live by and understand by, in about |
| education will succeed to the extent that it is intended.In | | | | the same sense he needs sunlight, calcium or love. |
| order to maximize this motivational desire, the | | | | This I have called the "cognitive need to understand." |
| educators need to attend to the needs of the student. | | | | The value- illnesses which result from valuelessness |
| By understanding Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, | | | | are called variously anhedonia, anomie, apathy, |
| teachers can work toward realizing the basic needs | | | | amorality, hopelessness, cynicism, etc., and can |
| that develop the foundation for higher learning, or | | | | become somatic illness as well. Historically, we are in a |
| actualization.Here is an example of how the school | | | | value interregnum in which all externally given value |
| can meet the basic needs of the students:If the school | | | | systems have proven failures (political, economic, |
| understands that in order to function at school, | | | | religious, etc.) e.g., nothing is worth dying for. What man |
| students need the basic physiological needs satisfied | | | | needs but doesn't have, he seeks for unceasingly, and |
| before they can absorb their studies, they may | | | | he becomes dangerously ready to jump at any hope, |
| consider providing lunches if a great deal of the | | | | good or bad. The cure for this disease is obvious. We |
| students do not have their own. This would then propel | | | | need a validated, usable system of human values that |
| the learners to the next level. By fostering a trusting, | | | | we can believe in and devote ourselves to (be willing |
| safe environment, with a classroom social network, | | | | to die for), because they are true rather than because |
| and providing praise in the form of positive | | | | we are exhorted to "believe and have faith." Such an |
| reinforcement from the teachers, the students will be | | | | empirically based Weltanschauung seems now to be a |
| able to focus on their learning.[6]A real example that | | | | real possibility, at least in theoretical outline." [12]If |
| has come up near the end of the 20th century with | | | | society is not instilling the proper values into the youth |
| respect to this is the problems that have arisen due to | | | | of today, they are unable to develop a healthy outlook |
| the beliefs on "special education". During the 70s and | | | | on life. This will hamper their journey to |
| 80s when where the traditional beliefs of segregating | | | | self-actualization. The education system is also |
| children with special needs (physical, intellectual, or | | | | currently not providing the proper morals, and positive, |
| emotional) was employed in the school system | | | | nurturing environment for students in order for them to |
| anomalies arose that called into question these beliefs. | | | | grow. The schools need to focus on the areas of |
| It was believed that by placing these students in | | | | Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs that are deficient in the |
| separate learning atmospheres they would be able to | | | | student body, nurture them, and help their students to |
| learn at a pace more appropriate to their abilities, | | | | excel in ways that go deeper than just good |
| receive special attention and eventually progress | | | | grades.Summary: Change Your Socks, Change Your |
| through the system to receive the same education at | | | | AttitudeIn the contemporary business world, a |
| the end of the program. As it turns out, this did not | | | | product-centered business style is no longer |
| happen and the children's learning was | | | | successful. Companies must now, more than ever |
| hampered.[7]Managing expectationsFocusing on such | | | | before, develop a consumer-centric approach to |
| human needs for successful motivation can very | | | | business. The market is demassifying, and this means |
| easily be ported over to the business world and | | | | that individual needs must be met.In order for the |
| applied in the field of Management. In fact, Maslow | | | | education system to produce individuals that can reach |
| himself became fascinated with the field of | | | | the peak of Maslow's pyramid, the schools should also |
| management and attempted to explain the ability of | | | | take a similar approach and rather than focus on the |
| good managers to motivate their employees using a | | | | product (education), they should instead focus on |
| solid understanding of the Hierarch of Needs. He even | | | | meeting the needs of the client (student). This will by |
| went so far as to regularly visit a high-tech company in | | | | no means be an easy task for it requires a |
| California to study the management practices in the | | | | tremendous amount of time and energy on the part of |
| 1960s. Maslow discovered that managers who treat | | | | the supplier (schools), but the end results will produce a |
| their subordinates with trust and respect created an | | | | much more satisfied customer who is able to benefit |
| environment that promoted a better work situation and | | | | from the interaction.Maslow lists 10 points that |
| improved productivity.Peter Drucker, the famous | | | | educators and teachers ought to consider in order to |
| management guru has said that "Maslow's contribution | | | | change their style so as to move toward the |
| to management was a big one. He pointed out hat you | | | | self-actualization of the individual. A summary of these |
| have to have different personnel policies for different | | | | points can be found below:1. Be true to yourself. |
| people in different situations for them to be truly | | | | 2. Do not be bound by your culture. |
| effective."[8]Why 'Y'?Theories X and Y, as developed | | | | 3. Discover your calling. |
| by Douglas McGregor fit very nicely into the Needs | | | | 4. Life is precious. |
| Theory. If humans are intrinsically searching for | | | | 5. Do not judge people. |
| something to help propel them to the next level, and | | | | 6. See to the satisfaction of basic needs. |
| have an internal desire to progress, and give back to | | | | 7. Take time to smell the roses. |
| society, as is believed by the followers of "Theory Y", | | | | 8. Learn self-control. |
| then it goes to reason that the humanistic approach, as | | | | 9. Don't sweat the little things. |
| laid out by Maslow would assist these individuals in | | | | 10. Make the right decisions.These can and should be |
| reaching their goals. If we believe that human nature | | | | applied to all aspects of life, from your private time, |
| responds best to a positive, nurturing atmosphere, then | | | | through education and even in the work environment in |
| managers that hold the following beliefs with respect | | | | order to work toward improving yourself and |
| to their staff should be able to raise them up higher in | | | | society.References1. C. George Boeree, 'Abraham |
| an attempt to improve productivity, and the individual | | | | Maslow, 1908-1970', Huitt, W. (2004). Maslow's hierarchy |
| goals of the worker:1. Employees view work as | | | | of needs. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, |
| natural.2. Commitment to goals leads to self-direction | | | | GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved [date] from, |
| and self-control.3. People will look for situations where | | | | Stephen R. Covey, 'The 8th Habit, From Effectiveness |
| they can receive accountability for their work.4. | | | | to Greatness', FranklinCovey Co., Free Press, 2004.4. |
| Decision-making on various levels can be spread | | | | Wikipedia, 'Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs', Educational |
| among the company and not be the sole responsibility | | | | Psychology Interactive6. Jones, Michael. "Maslow's |
| of upper management.[9]What's 'Humanism' got to do, | | | | Hierarchy of Needs Can Lower Recidivism." |
| got to do with it?Humanism is the "third force" in | | | | Corrections Today 66.4 (2004): 18-22.7. Norman Kunc, |
| psychology, following the traditional studies of | | | | 'The Need to Belong: Rediscovering Maslow's |
| behaviorism and psychoanalysis. Maslow, Carl Rogers, | | | | Hierarchy of Needs', Axis Consultation and Training |
| Rolly May and many others helped to advance this | | | | Ltd,, 1998.8. Excerpted from Maslow on Management, |
| way of looking at the human condition.Humanism has a | | | | by Abraham H. Maslow, with Deborah Stephens and |
| long history going back to the times of the Greek | | | | Gary Heil, 1998.9. Robbins, Stephen P., 'Essentials of |
| philosophers of the 6th century BC. It has come | | | | organizational behavior, eighth edition', Pearson |
| forward in time and developed into three broad | | | | Education Inc., 2005, p5010. Wikipedia definition for |
| categories: religious, secular, educational humanism. | | | | 'humanism', Frederick Edwards, 'What is Humanism?', |
| When people discuss "humanism" they generally mean | | | | American Humanist Association, 1989, Maslow, A., & |
| the understanding of secular humanism. | | | | Lowery, R. (Ed.). (1998). 'Toward a psychology of being |
| "Humanism is a broad category of active ethical | | | | (3rd ed.)', New York: Wiley & Sons.Cameron Switzer |
| philosophies that affirm the dignity and worth of all | | | | Intrmarket Solutions |
| people, based on the ability to determine right and | | | | Fukui, |
| wrong by appeal to universal human qualities- | | | | ======Cameron has lived and worked in Japan for |
| particularly rationality, common history, experience, and | | | | over 15 years. Originally a researcher and educator he |
| belief. Humanism is a component of a variety of more | | | | has a penchant for details and a natural born flair for |
| specific philosophical systems, and is also incorporated | | | | communication "soul to soul". His extensive experience |
| into some religious schools of thought.Humanism entails | | | | in the culture, coupled with language fluency and a |
| a commitment to the search for truth and morality | | | | deep understanding of Japanese ethics, morals and |
| through human means in support of human interests. In | | | | thought processes has allowed him to develop a |
| focusing on the capacity for self-determination, | | | | special niche market in the business world.While |
| humanism rejects transcendental justifications, such as | | | | working to develop a global presence for a titanium |
| a dependence on faith, the supernatural or divinely | | | | material, parts & accessories distributor for the global |
| revealed texts. Humanists endorse universal morality | | | | eyeglass industry for 5 years, Cam saw the difficulties |
| based on the commonality of human nature, | | | | small/medium sized companies were having trying to |
| suggesting that solutions to our social and cultural | | | | expand their businesses outside of Japan. He decided |
| problems cannot be parochial."[10]Humanists generally | | | | they needed help.Currently Cameron owns and |
| believe the following:[11]1. Humanism is a philosophy | | | | operates a one-man (one dog) SOHO business |
| focused upon human means for comprehending reality. | | | | designed to help foreign and Japanese companies in a |
| Humanists make no claims to possess or have | | | | variety of industries come together in business in a |
| access to supposed transcendent knowledge.2. | | | | very efficient, effective, and cost-effective successful |
| Humanism is a philosophy of reason and science in the | | | | manner. |