Seems that in communication courses we are enamoured with Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Look in almost any textbook on communication whether the subject is an introductory fundamentals text, public speaking, persuasion, group discussion, mass communication, public relations, or organizational communication an Maslow is mentioned. In many of the text the theory is simply presented with no reference to its efficacy.
Rarely is there an adequate description of what is meant by self-actualization or how to motivate people to self-actualization. Motivation is subject to so many individual differences that theories of human needs like Maslow's just not seem to be very effective in predicting human behavior.
The entire human relations approach to motivation has come under question because the base theories are weak when it comes to predictive ability. Check out this brief article on Maslow by Huitt for some insight and additional references. Note this depiction of the hierarchy includes a level beyond self-actualization label transcendence.
Humans indeed have needs but has our conceptualization psychological needs helped or hindered our understanding of motivation?
2 comments:
I think Maslow's hierarchy is slightly overrated. It seems like we discuss it in every comm class I have ever had, from public relations to psychology. The concept is interesting but every human is different, and their basic needs are as well. We all need and want different things out of life and I don't think that can be summed up in a little triangle.
I would like to say that although there is no concrete evidence to support Maslow's hierarchy, there is a saying that I always think of when it comes it. It goes "start from scratch," and when you put his hierarchy into effect, you would recognize that most people probably to fall into this pyramid in redefining themselves. It is hard to prove because the experimentors are probably not testing the appropriate people that qualify to attest to this study.
Post a Comment