Hailey Caram

Review Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and explain how each level relates to your experiences with technology.  Give specific examples of how your digital experiences relate to each level of need.

When thinking about the needs of humans, most people would not consider technology to be one of those. However, technology can be used as the means to satisfy those needs and be applied from the bottom to the top of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Maslow organizes human needs in a hierarchy ranging from the most basic survival needs to the complex self-fulfillment needs (McLeod, 2025).

The hierarchy starts with the physiological level, where technology can aid in meeting basic survival needs like food and water. Some of my technological experiences with this include ordering food from apps on my phone or using the internet to pay bills ensuring that I have a place to live. 

The next level, safety, is where I am able to meet my need for both physical and online security. For example, I use the weather app before leaving the house to ensure it is safe for me to drive. When setting up personal accounts for banking or social media, I always turn on two-factor authentication to protect my personal data from being stolen, thus giving me a sense of security in the digital world. 

At the level of love and belonging, I use technology every day to maintain friendships and relationships with my family. I do not live near my family so with technology I am able to use social media and video calls to feel close to them.

Following is self-esteem, satisfying this need gives me a sense of achievement and boosts my confidence. On LinkedIn I am able to share when I earn certifications, start a new role at work, or further my education. The need is satisfied when colleagues or potential employers congratulate my post and reach out to me for employment opportunities. 

Finally, self-actualization is the human need to pursue self-fulfillment and reach one’s full potential. One way that technology allows me to pursue this need is by taking online courses. Rather than trying to find in-person classes or instructors that aren’t always accessible, technology makes it possible for me to constantly expand my knowledge on cybersecurity. By doing so, I am actively investing in my career and striving to be the best I can be professionally. 

References
McLeod, S. (2025, March 14). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Simply Psychology. Retrieved June 16, 2025, from https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow.html