National Evaluation Series (NES) Assessment of Professional Knowledge Practice Test

Who among the following would most likely focus on establishing a safe learning environment for students?

1. Skinner

2. Erikson

3. Watson

4. Maslow

The correct answer is: Maslow

The focus on establishing a safe learning environment for students aligns closely with the ideas presented by Maslow. His Hierarchy of Needs theory posits that before individuals can focus on higher-level cognitive and emotional demands, their basic needs—including safety—must be met. Maslow suggests that emotional and physical safety are fundamental prerequisites for effective learning and personal development. This underlines the importance of creating a secure setting where students can engage, explore, and take academic risks without fear. The other theorists mentioned have different primary focuses that do not prioritize the establishment of safety in learning environments in the same way. Skinner, for instance, emphasized behaviorism and the role of reinforcement in learning, while Watson focused primarily on observable behaviors and external stimuli. Erikson, on the other hand, centered on psychosocial development through various stages of life, which does include some aspects of safety but primarily in the context of emotional and social development rather than as a specific focus on the learning environment itself.