Applying Principles of Communication Psychology

Abraham Maslow

Maslow’s TheoryMost people will respond positively to

messages that will meet their particular needs at particular times.

Ladder of Human Needs

Basic Physical Needs

Safety and Security Needs

Need to Belong

Need to Be Somebody

Need to Help Others and Be Creative

Ladder of Human Needs

Basic Physical Needs

Safety and Security Needs

Need to Belong

Need to Be Somebody

Need to Help Others and Be Creative

Rung 1 - Basic Physical Needs

Food, shelter, clothing – Until these needs are reasonably well met, we think of little else.

Rung 2 – Safety and Security Needs

Keeping free from physical harm or mental abuse, or from people who threaten our peace of mind.

Rung 3 –The Need to Belong

Most of us want to feel “part of a group.” Families, gangs, cliques, co-workers.

Rung 4 – The Need to Be “Somebody”

We want to feel like we’re good at something. We feel pleased at recognition; it feeds our egos.

Rung 5 – The Need to Help Others and Be Creative

We help those struggling on the lower rungs. We become more creative, which makes life better for all around us.

What this means...

If we identify the levels of needs and relate them to our

communication,we can phrase our message to meet those needs. This

earns us the reaction we want…with no surprises!

Your Assignment Before you leave today, write a paragraph describing where you

are on Maslow's ladder today and how you intend to move up that

ladder (if possible).

Skip a line between each line you write and put first/last name at top, period, my name, and date in

MLA format at the top of the page.

Your Assignment Before you leave today, write a paragraph describing where you

are on Maslow's ladder today and how you intend to move up that

ladder (if possible).

Skip a line between each line you write and put first/last name at top, period, my name, and date in

MLA format at the top of the page.

How does Maslow’s theory relate to How Starbucks Saved my Life?

• Using all 5 Rungs of Abraham Maslow’s Ladder of Human Needs and scenes from the novel, discuss the appropriateness of the novel’s title.

• Complete Starbucks worksheet:• Worksheet due with essay on Monday (2nd) or Tuesday

(5th). Turn worksheet in to teacher. Turn essay in to Edmodo.

• Format for essay:– 12 pt. TNRoman -- Must have title– Double spaced -- Heading in upper right corner– Indent paragraphs 5 spaces only– * To double space easily, type the entire document

single spaced, then highlight the entire document, and click CTRL and the number 2.