Introduction to the Humanistic Perspective Lesson Plan

Introduction to the Humanistic Perspective Lesson Plan
Learning Targets:

1) To demonstrate how need motivates action

2) To analyze & evaluate Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
Instructions:

1. Break the class into groups of 4-5 students.

2. Handout the “Introduction: The Humanistic Perspective” worksheet.
3. They have 15 minutes to come to complete the “island” activity. This should be a consensus decision.
4. After each group creates their list, they should share with the class. The teacher records the answers on the board. Once this is complete, the students are asked form categories from their answers. For example, “find food and water” could fall under the category “physical survival.” This should take approximately 10-15 minutes.
5. Lastly, in their groups, the students should complete the back of the worksheet. They will compare and contrast their answers to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. In addition, they will evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the theory. This should take approximately 10-15 minutes.
I teach this lesson in a 45 minute period.

Introduction: The Humanistic Perspective

Learning Targets:

1) To demonstrate how need motivates action

2) To analyze & evaluate Maslow’s hierarchy of needs
The class is stranded on a deserted island. The island is in the northern Atlantic & it is September. There are no other people or buildings on the island; however, there is vegetation. In the box below, describe the first 10 steps you will take to ensure the classes survival.


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“Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”

Deserted Island Group Poster Project:
Directions: In your groups/teams, you will design a 10 step plan for how to ensure the survivial of yourself and classmates on a deserted island. Be sure to keep in mind the components of Maslow’s pyramid, to ensure that physical and psychological needs are being met.

Once you have developed your plan, your job is to compare your steps/actions to those in Maslow’s pyramid by creating a poster to illustrate the similarities. Your poster should include a title, a student-generated picture/diagram of Maslow’s pyramid as well as an illustrated depiction of how your “Deserted Island Plan” fits in with Maslow’s pyramid of needs. Use the attached diagrams/information for assistance.

Background: Abraham Maslow, a humanist psychologist, developed a theory of motivation based on a hierarchy of needs. He identified fundamental needs, psychological needs & self-actualization needs. The most basic needs are biological in nature & are at the BASE of the pyramid. He argues that it is difficult to move up the “needs pyramid” until the base needs are met. However, once those needs are met social needs become the object of attainment. The highest of these social needs is self-actualization, which is the process of becoming the best person one can be. Compare & contrast your list of needs to the needs presented in his theory.
Compare/Contrast:

Which of your group’s actions were similar to the hierarchy presented by Maslow? Include a minimum of 5 comparison points. They can be from any level of the pyramid.

Evaluate:

Identify one strength & one weakness of Maslow’s hierarchy. What makes the most/least sense to you?