Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs

·       Self Actualization
·       Respect and Self Respect
·       Belonging and Affection
·       Safety and Security
·       Life

Another evaluative benchmark is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Human Needs.  Sociologist, Benjamin Maslow developed the hierarchy to illustrate the progressive needs of human’s response to their environment.   
The hierarchy moves from life to safety and security, to belonging and affection, to respect and self-respect, to ultimately self- actualization.  The Hierarchy works beautifully as we incorporate the characters and authors from our readings, and personalities from history and current events, to evaluate their ability to meet basic human needs.
Maslow professed that every human being had a clear progression of needs from needing food and shelter to a state of self-actualization.  Like a pyramid or other structure needs the foundation and each step in place before moving on to the next, and if the foundation fails, so do the other stages of development.  A region or countries’ status on the hierarchy is not static or ever secure.  Geological, atmospheric, political or human events could change the status in a heartbeat.
The Hierarchy begins with life.  The students evaluate whether a region has adequate food supplies through current events or data on caloric intake.  If this need is not met it can not be expected that the population can achieve any of the other levels or economic success until the problem is resolved.  Geography and climate are analyzed as well as a review of the six factors to assist in determining the source of the problem and possible solutions.
The next level of human need is a feeling of safety and security.  Fear is a powerful emotion and it becomes impossible to expect higher levels of human development whether it’s on the streets or in the classroom.  Students analyze the region and countries’ natural boundaries and evaluate whether they have facilitated or deterred countries’ ability to maintain its safety and security.  History and current events are reviewed to determine the extent and types of conflicts.  Literature can provide a powerful window into the human experience of conflicts, their justification and consequences.
A sense of belonging and affection can only be achieved if there is a trust that you are safe and secure.  The students search to discover what is the ‘glue that holds a culture or society together.  Race, ethnicity, religion, language and common values all play a prominent role in this research. History and current events provide evidence of discord and literature provides the voice of the human spirit and emotion.
The level of respect and self-respect is a challenging level for a region to achieve and maintain.  Students look for the ability to negotiate conflicts peacefully, representative democracies, peaceful transitions of government and whether human rights are protected.   Students will also investigate whether a region respects civil rights, racial equality and religious freedom.
Our literature provides numerous examples of humanities’ struggles with this step in the hierarchy.  Because adolescents are often struggling with this level themselves discussions of the literature readings from the perspectives of the characters to regional issues and connecting to their own lives is a powerful teaching experience.
Self-actualization is the final step in the hierarchy.  Exhibiting a sense of understanding and peace with the world is a level few people can maintain, let alone an entire country or region.  History and literature provide a number of wonderful examples that have risen above the challenges and frustrations of daily life and achieved this level.  Buddha, Gandhi, Thoreau and some characters from literature are able to illustrate the possibilities and potential of such a high level of human development.