Maslow's hierarchy of needs, page-2

I first came across Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs when I did a post graduate teacher's diploma.
The theory didn't include the "Self Transcendence" bit at the top of triangle.
It's focus was more on what was required to enable students to learn successfully and secondly to acquire a thirst for knowledge.

Simple examples of the lack of basic needs that distracted students from learning include:

• Sufficient nutrition
• Sufficient exercise
• Sufficient sleep
• Basic security
• Loving family relationships
• Adequate housing
• And so on

The need for sex was conveniently swept under the carpet.

I found a means to rationally question the need for corporate punishment as a tool to encourage learning when I first heard Maslow's ideas. The idea of artificially introducing an element (pain) in the bottom tier so that it could be avoided by learning didn't seem like a good idea to me; in my case all it did was teach me to do the minimum to avoid pain - this is hardly a good path to self actualization. This is especially true if the encouragement for a thirst for knowledge is the aim.