6.1.23

Aronoff (1957) (A2 Only)

Test yourself on Aronoff (1957) (A2 Only)

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Aronoff (1967) — Job Demands & Hierarchy of Needs

Aronoff (1967) investigated how the hierarchy of needs relates to different job demands.

Research method

Research method

  • A natural experiment.
  • Aronoff compared cane cutters and fishermen in the West Indies.
  • Cane cutters were paid a small amount but were paid if they were off work, so had high job security but low pay.
  • Fishermen worked alone, so had low job security, but were generally well paid.

Results & conclusion

  • Results
    • The fishermen were generally at higher levels on the hierarchy of needs than the cane cutters.
  • Conclusion
    • Only those men that had satisfied the lower levels of the hierarchy (e.g. physiological needs) could become fishermen.
    • For example, you needed to be able to afford to set yourself up as a fisherman e.g. equipment, boat etc.
    • This supports Maslow’s theory that the lower levels must be satisfied before you can move up the pyramid.
Evaluation

Evaluation

  • Strengths
    • Supports hierarchy of needs theory.
    • Ecological validity.
  • Limitations
    • Can only be applied to one culture – cannot be generalised to wider population.
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