Teaching Activity: With a Little Help from Your Friends

This is an activity that can be used when teaching the Hierarchy of Needs in the Humanistic approach or as part of the Stress topic.

It is a practical activity that measures an individual’s social support network. This is pertinent to the third level of the hierarchy of needs as it is a measure of love and belongingness.

Humanist theorists would reject using a measure of anything, but the students find it engaging and interesting. It is clearly useful for the Stress topic when teaching the social support section.

Please note this activity should be carried out with sensitivity. If someone does not achieve a high score at the end it should be emphasised to them that with friendships it is quality not quantity that counts. Please only use this activity if you feel it is appropriate for your groups.