Humanism as an Educational Theory

Entry written by Edward Bennett

Humanism, as a study affirms the dignity and worth of all people, based on the ability to determine right and wrong by appeal to universal human qualities. As much, it rejects the supernatural and gives power back to the people. Throughout time, there have been quite a few noted Humanists involved in the evolution of learning theory and Instructional Design. Most noted among them are Abraham Maslow, Carl Rogers and Malcolm Knowles. It is interesting to note, however, that other prominent Humanists have been linked to educational setting without themselves being seen, necessarily, as “Humanist.” One such scholar is Erich Fromm. From was a German psychotherapist who postulated that humans had needs that separated us from the realm of lower animals. His is a theory, similar to Maslow’s (which will be addressed below,) in which he delineates five basic, yet distinctly, human needs. These needs are:

Humanists emphasize the needs for humans to become greater than we perceive ourselves to be. As can be seen by Fromm’s needs listed above, we have needs to be bigger and better than most would even recognize.

One of the predominant Humanist theoretician in our field is Abraham Maslow. Maslow postulated a 7 level “Hierarchy of Needs” design. He diagramed what he believed to be the foundations for humans to be fully self-actualized. As a hierarchy, Maslow believed that in order to move from one level to the next, one must be guaranteed the previous need is being met. These needs, based on Maslow's theory are as follows:

http://webspace.ship.edu/cgboer/fromm.html

http://www.learning-theories.com/humanism.html

http://www.xenodochy.org/ex/lists/maslow.html

Humanist educational theorists utilize these schema to help organize learning objectives and classroom management techniques to more fully help their students succeed.