Theory of Belonging

Theories of Belonging from Glasser and Maslow

William Glasser and Abraham Maslow thought of two different theories about human needs. They each have similar ideas based on a sense of belonging and fitting in somehow. These ideas fit into the classroom environment very well because at one point every teacher has dealt with a student who is self-conscious, shy, or an outcast. By better understanding the human need to belong a teacher will better serve the students inside and outside the classroom.

Glasser’s five needs are: survival, love and belonging, power and recognition, freedom, and fun. Maslow’s hierarchy starts with physiological, moves up to safety, then belonging, next a self esteem, and ends with self-actualization. Each of these theories starts with the same main human need, which is that of the physical body. This is a necessity, but an often neglected idea because little needs to be done unless the body is threatened. The next level for Maslow goes along with the first one, but is based outside the body such as a roof over our heads or money to keep us at distance from harm.

The second level for Glasser and the third for Maslow deals with the big idea of belonging. According to Maslow this comes from basic tribal instincts about being nice and helpful to others so they will want us in their lives in return. As a tribal species more people are better than one, so for a person to be a loner is to go against what makes us human. We crave companion from other in all forms, but mostly to fit it. This is most likely why teenagers give into peer pressure and will go to great lengths to be in the “popular crowd.”

Esteem and power tend to go together, such as they both follow after belonging on each list. The desire for a higher position in the group drives humans to achieve great things, and go to great lengths. This basic need comes from thinking that if people respect us then we will have great power. In order to receive respect and power one must first belong to a group, maybe this explains why students will try and stand out among peers as a specific trait, such as the jock, nerd, joker, etc.

The last few levels of needs must be only set into place once a person feels a sense of safety, belonging, and achievement. These needs are for self-actualization, which is the desire to become what we are capable of becoming and striving toward great things. The need for freedom goes along with this idea in that we as humans are able to achieve whatever level of thinking we want as long as we desire greatest. We are free to dream big and reach high goals. The last and most debatable need according to Glasser is the need for fun, because once all else is set into place we all just want to have fun and enjoy life everyday.

According to Maslow the way to use these ideas is to look at what a person has accomplished and work with that level. If you look into history and see the falling of nations it usually starts with the basic needs for safety and physiology. In order to threaten a person start with their body, but in order to help others encourage them to reach their highest needs. Let others see that we all can achieve higher things and assist others in attaining their goals.

This information was mainly gathered at: http://changingminds.org/explanations/needs/needs.htm