Maslow Case Study Essay

2. Which aspects of Susan’s behaviour would be the focus of a therapist who is operating within Maslow’s theory?
Susan’s behaviour as the focus of a therapist who is operating within Maslow’s theory
Susan’s need for affiliation and love:
According to Maslow, (as cited in Meyer et al., 2008), a person becomes aware of their need to belong somewhere and with someone, to also be able to receive and give love with ease. People now have time for superficial intercourse instead of having genuine intimacy with and for one another, eventually leaving them lonely and then resulting in isolation.
In Susan’s case, her needs for love and affiliation are met to some extent, she has found love with the husband whom she married and with whom she started a family with. One entity of love and affiliation per say, is met, however, she still does not feel like she belongs hence her strict demeanour of chasing or pushing people away. It is as if she does not ever

Task involvement: “According to Maslow, self-actualisers are, without exception, involved in some calling, career or task which is not aimed primarily at the satisfaction of their own basic needs, but which is rather a means of serving some greater cause” (Meyer, et al., 2008, p.348). With Susan, she has involved herself with a task which is cleaning and one which she really enjoys. She, however, seeks appreciation for the task she enjoys doing.
Social feeling: Self-actualisers are deeply concerned for humankind rather than being irritated by the deficiencies of others. (Meyer, et al., 2008). Susan however, gets irritated by people too quickly, mostly without a valid reason. It is usually a spare of the moment thing that triggers anger in her and she acts on that anger for longer periods than expected. Some would say she gets angry over petty things or