Although widely used and researched, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs lacks conclusive supporting evidence and the validity of the theory remains contested in academia.[10][11][12][13] One criticism of the original theory which has been revised into newer versions of the theory, was that the original hierarchy states that a lower level must be completely satisfied and fulfilled before moving onto a higher pursuit; there is evidence to suggest that levels continuously overlap each other.[3]
Hence the “pyramid” model of “the bottom layer must be solid before work can start on the next layer up” is…probably not science.
In the early 2000s we learned it in more of a nucleus model to address the pyramid criticisms. As someone who grew up poor and lives comfortably now, I can attest that it’s a real thing. I miss the struggle in a morbid way. Life was somehow more defined.
I find it useful to think of as a teacher as the mechanism behind the principle of readiness, for two separate reasons:
Students who are tired, hungry, thirsty and busting for a toilet are not going to focus on a lecture about aerodynamics. The lecture is less immediate than their other needs.
Students who don’t see a need to learn aerodynamics aren’t going to bother to put in the effort to pay attention. Yes, higher learning can fulfill those higher, more intellectual needs up toward the self-actualization end of the pyramid, but it’s not a guarantee. It is the responsibility of the teacher to inform his students which needs his lesson will help his students fulfill. By high school, students intuitively understand this, and might ask an algebra teacher “Why do we have to know this?” It amazes me how often that answer comes back “To graduate.” As a flight instructor, I always found “So that you don’t hit the trees at the end of the runway, catch fire and die” is more motivating to students.
Per Wikipedia:
Hence the “pyramid” model of “the bottom layer must be solid before work can start on the next layer up” is…probably not science.
In the early 2000s we learned it in more of a nucleus model to address the pyramid criticisms. As someone who grew up poor and lives comfortably now, I can attest that it’s a real thing. I miss the struggle in a morbid way. Life was somehow more defined.
I find it useful to think of as a teacher as the mechanism behind the principle of readiness, for two separate reasons:
Students who are tired, hungry, thirsty and busting for a toilet are not going to focus on a lecture about aerodynamics. The lecture is less immediate than their other needs.
Students who don’t see a need to learn aerodynamics aren’t going to bother to put in the effort to pay attention. Yes, higher learning can fulfill those higher, more intellectual needs up toward the self-actualization end of the pyramid, but it’s not a guarantee. It is the responsibility of the teacher to inform his students which needs his lesson will help his students fulfill. By high school, students intuitively understand this, and might ask an algebra teacher “Why do we have to know this?” It amazes me how often that answer comes back “To graduate.” As a flight instructor, I always found “So that you don’t hit the trees at the end of the runway, catch fire and die” is more motivating to students.