Reaching Self-actualization in Education: Construction and Validation of a Hierarchical Scale

Abstract

The present study aimed to adapt and validate the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in the EFL settings of Iranian universities. A review of the related literature showed that there are very few studies on the application of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in learning contexts, especially that of foreign/second language classes. To do so, having revised and rephrased the items in the scale developed for Hierarchy of Needs, the researcher made sure of the content validity and reliability of the revised version. Afterwards, the designed questionnaires were distributed among 271 learners of language studying at Ferdowsi, Imam Reza and Tabaran universities. The obtained data were then analyzed. Confirmatory factor analysis procedures were held to ensure the construct validity of the questionnaire. The designed scale was validated through certain statistical procedures. Confirmatory Factor Analysis and content validity procedures were done to ensure the validity of the scale. In addition to this, using Coranbach’s coefficient of reliability, the items and the scale as a whole were proven to be reliable. The significance of the work lies in the fact that the better an educator knows their own students, the better rapport they can establish with them. This can to a great extent improve the teaching and learning process in different contexts. It is to be said that this scale can be of great significance in any kinds of research in the field that deals with needs and expectations of students at different levels.