Maslow and Mathematics

Paper Summary:

The paper explains Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs theory, which holds that individuals must be offered an opportunity to experience learning in a unique way, to fulfill their need of self-actualization. The paper then goes on to discuss how to achieve this goal of creativity in the mathematics classroom.

From the Paper:

"Abraham Maslow is most well known for what has become known by most as, Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. Maslow theorized that people must achieve certain needs before being able to fully experience needs of a higher order. So, in other words those who are barred from higher thought by an inability to achieve shelter and obtain enough food to eat, or basic perceived security are likely to become stunted in their ability to perform abstract thought processes and achieve more abstract personal goals. At the pinnacle of this hierarchy Maslow placed self-actualization, an ability to place one's self in an abstract position and understand lofty concepts such as justice, equality and truth. (Roeckelein, 1998, p. 318) In the context of education it is fair to say that the development of Maslow's hierarchy as well as many other contributing concepts and the real lag that is seen by those who for many reasons lack the abilty to achieve basic needs, have done much to explain why some people develop and learn, accessing higher order thoughts and concepts and others do not."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Dai, D. Y., Moon, S. M., & Feldhusen, J. F. (1998). Achievement Motivation and Gifted Students: a Social Cognitive Perspective. Educational Psychologist, 33(2/3), 45-63.
• Ernest, P. (1991). The Philosophy of Mathematics Education. London: Falmer Press.
• Gold, M. J. (1965). Education of the Intellectually Gifted. Columbus, OH: Charles E. Merrill Books.
• Hashway, R. M. (1988). Foundations of Developmental Education. New York: Praeger Publishers.
• Palmer, J. A., Bresler, L., & Cooper, D. E. (Eds.). (2001). Fifty Modern Thinkers on Education: From Piaget to the Present Day. London: Routledge.

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