Did Maslow have it right in the 1940s?

Anyone who has completed their teacher training or indeed studied basic psychology will be familiar with Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs. In his 1943 publication “A Theory of Human Motivation” Abraham Maslow introduced a model of human motivation and needs which would resonate through the decades and indeed be proven to be accurate by scientists over 70 years later.?

Firstly he mentioned our basic needs for bodily functioning - fulfilled by eating, drinking and going to the toilet. Maslow also included sexual needs in this group.

Then there is the desire to be safe, and secure in the knowledge that those basic needs will be fulfilled in the future too.??

After that comes our need for love, friendship and company. At this stage, Maslow writes, the individual "may even forget that once, when he was hungry, he sneered at love".

?The next stage is all about social recognition, belonging, status and respect.

?And the final stage, represented in the graphic as the topmost tip of the triangle, Maslow labelled with the psychologists' term "self-actualisation" which is attributed to the stage of learning and personal development.??

?Essentially it is extremely difficult to grow and develop as a person if our more basic needs are not being met. It makes sense really, but seems to be often forgotten when we prioritise work (either at school or in our careers) over wellbeing, connection with those who love us and self care.??

?If Maslow were around today I think he would have something to say about our current mental health crisis.??

?Fast forward almost 80 years and more and more psychological, psychiatric and neuroscience research is proving Maslow’s theory to be pretty sound.?

?Adele Diamond in her lab at the University of British Columbia publishes papers regularly on the importance of belonging, connection and nourishing our human spirits in order to develop strong executive functioning, the brain functions responsible for success at school.?

?At the Harvard Centre on the developing child they are finding that childhood trauma - where basic safety and belonging needs are not being met can be responsible for deficiencies in the executive functions indeed adult trauma also has an impact on our ability to get things done and manage our emotions (executive functioning).?

Moreover, in his seminal book “The Body Keeps the Score” Bessel Van Der Kolk lays out years of research into trauma and its impact on emotional regulation by the prefronal cortex and its executive functions. He makes many powerful recommendations including: “ Since emotional regulation is the critical issue in managing the effects of trauma and neglect.? It would make an enormous difference if teachers, army sergeants, foster parents and mental health professionals were thoroughly schooled in emotional regulation techniques.”? On this I couldn’t agree more.?

If more and more evidence is emerging to support his work - why are we seemingly ignoring such an important theory?? Why have “results at all costs” become the most important focus of education. Where are the foundational parts of the pyramid for the children who need them most?? Why is emotional health deferred to the realms of PHSE and not taught in science lessons?? Why do our behaviour policies recommend a zero tolerance approach when we know that many children have little or no control over their responses because of influences completely out of their control? How do we allow our most vulnerable children to continue on a path of “self destruction” when the science shows that our approach is what is forcing them down these paths???

These questions swim around my head at night and my resolve to push forward on a path for change which includes and values all children in our society is strengthened.?

If this blog resonated with you and you would like to learn more please do consider joining me for my upcoming training.? You will learn about a behaviour policy approach which can work for everyone and help children develop the skills to manage their emotions and responses. This rather than punish them and sending them into a vicious cycle of feeling unloved, alone, unwanted and misunderstood which only makes it harder for them to develop the part of their brain that they so desperately need to help them self regulate.?

Download Adele Diamond article here:? https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E1onueyynfIznVio6vWueDn6XpLGO5GE/view?usp=sharing

Harvard Centre for the developing child here: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/science/deep-dives/adult-capabilities/