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
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs psychological theory describes and ranks human needs as the driving forces behind behavior. This hierarchy comprises five levels: physiological, safety, love and belonging, esteem, and self-actualization (Gasparrollo, 2023). To go to higher levels, one needs to have their basic needs of the bottom met. Thus, they are built upon one another. Physiological needs, which include warmth, food, water, and shelter, are at the bottom of this hierarchy. They are the necessary things for survival. Today, technology allows to meet these needs easily. For instance, online grocery shopping and food delivery services have made it easier for me to obtain food and satisfy my hunger. Similarly, innovations, such as air conditioning and heating, have simplified temperature control and offered protection from inclement weather (Gasparollo, 2023). Thus, technology has been fundamental to meeting my physiological needs.
Safety needs represent the next level of this hierarchy. It encompasses well-being, health, and financial and personal security. Technology helps ensure safety measures today. For example, I feel safer at work and home when security cameras and alarms are used. Furthermore, thanks to developments in medical technologies, people now have better health. They can receive more precise and efficient treatments. Consequently, technology has helped me to meet my needs for safety.
The need for relationships, love, and social acceptance belongs to the third level of Maslow’s pyramid. Today, social media and messaging apps have grown in popularity. These technological innovations have simplified communication between people, no matter how far apart they are. I have maintained relationships with my loved ones and made new ones. Finally, dating apps have given people a way to connect romantically, thus enabling them to satisfy their need for acceptance and love.
The fourth level, esteem, includes the need for self-worth, confidence, and respect from others. Thanks to technology, people can now showcase their skills and receive positive feedback from others, which boosts their self-esteem (Gasparollo, 2023). For example, I can produce and distribute relevant content on social media, which may attract the interest of a wider audience and result in favorable comments. This immediate affirmation and acknowledgement can increase my sense of worth and boost my self-esteem. Finally, the emergence of video-sharing websites has allowed me to exhibit my skills and win the respect and confidence of a worldwide audience by receiving their admiration.
The last stage is self-actualization. When a person enjoys personal growth and self-fulfillment, they have achieved the highest level of this hierarchy. Because of technology, people now have greater access to resources and educational opportunities, which makes it more straightforward for them to follow their interests and learn new skills (Gasparollo, 2023). For instance, I can learn something new and further my personal development with the help of online courses and resources from sites such as Skillshare and YouTube. Thanks to technology, I can now pursue my passions and explore them, which has increased my sense of fulfilment and self-actualization.