WEEK FOUR: THEORETICAL UNDERPINNINGS

When looking to find a reason behind my designs, I often start by looking at theory. Given my previous research into the "loneliness" aspect of our connected society, I remembered a theory which I had studied back in my Business Degree- Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.  A psychology theory proposed in 1943 by Abraham Maslow, the hierarchy explains human developmental psychology, describing the stages of growth in people.

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The above diagram is the typical representation of Maslow's theory, with the idea that once each level of needs is fulfilled, a person will move to try and fulfill the level above.  The use of communication technologies then, it seems, is an attempt to fulfill the higher level needs- particularly esteem and self actualisation.  However, given the previously stated research on the increase of lonliness and isolation in today's society with the increased use of these technologies, it would seem that perhaps while pursuing these higher level needs, people are letting their love/belonging needs fall by the wayside. 

Have people become so obsessed with esteem and self actualisation, that they forget the foundation of love and belonging they require first? Is there a way to design a solution to this issue, for the betterment of society?