K. Krejcova, T. Langer - Maslows hierarchy of needs in economic education - a pyramid of doubts DATA FINAL.xlsx

In contrast to economic textbooks, this famous depiction was, surprisingly, never used in Maslow’s works. Does it create an intended understanding of the theory or does it actually create misconceptions thereof?Research views the pyramid as an educational metaphor and claims that its unconsidered overtaking into instruction can be misleading.

Using a sample of 89 students and their view of the theory, being primed by either the visualization of the pyramid or the list of the hierarchy of needs, it delivers results on the perceived importance of lower needs and confirms necessity of careful handling of aspect-highlighting and aspect-hiding nature of metaphors in education.