Personality Case Studies
Abraham Maslow
Case Study 18
Maslov’s hierarchy of the five innate needs describe the factors that activate and direct human behavior. They are the physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization needs. According to Maslov, these needs are instinctoid, or hereditary, but can be affected or overcome by learning, social expectations, and fear of disapproval. Therefore, these needs are subject to variation from one person to another (Schultz & Schultz, 2012).
1) Before Frank was laid off, all five of Maslov’s needs were met. His physiological needs were satisfied because, although he disliked the third shift, Frank and his wife were able to afford a small house, put food on the table, and provide their children with decent clothes (p. 65, para. 2). Due to the fact that their fathers, and some grandfathers, of Frank’s co-workers had also worked, and retired, from the very same factory, Frank’s need of safety was content because he believed that his job and his employment were secure (p. 65, para. 3). Frank’s needs of esteem and self-actualization were fulfilled by his creativity and pride of the “intricate designs [that] he made on the backs of the chairs he produced” (p. 66, para. 1). By having these two needs met, Frank’s “skill earned him the respect of his coworkers,” which met Frank’s fifth need of feeling love and a sense of belonging (p.66, para. 1).
2) Before Frank was laid off, all of his five needs, proposed by Maslov, were met. However, working at the factory did not fully satisfy Frank’s physiological need because “he is tired all the time” and “the house, clothes, and food are not fancy but always adequate” (p. 65, para. 2). Frank feels that, although his physiological needs are being filled, they do not meet his expectations. “Sometimes he thinks that if he could just get enough sleep, he would be a truly happy man” (p.65, para. 1). Frank’s sleep deprivation is made up for by catching up on sleep during the weekends and
Case Study 18
Maslov’s hierarchy of the five innate needs describe the factors that activate and direct human behavior. They are the physiological, safety, love and belongingness, esteem, and self-actualization needs. According to Maslov, these needs are instinctoid, or hereditary, but can be affected or overcome by learning, social expectations, and fear of disapproval. Therefore, these needs are subject to variation from one person to another (Schultz & Schultz, 2012).
1) Before Frank was laid off, all five of Maslov’s needs were met. His physiological needs were satisfied because, although he disliked the third shift, Frank and his wife were able to afford a small house, put food on the table, and provide their children with decent clothes (p. 65, para. 2). Due to the fact that their fathers, and some grandfathers, of Frank’s co-workers had also worked, and retired, from the very same factory, Frank’s need of safety was content because he believed that his job and his employment were secure (p. 65, para. 3). Frank’s needs of esteem and self-actualization were fulfilled by his creativity and pride of the “intricate designs [that] he made on the backs of the chairs he produced” (p. 66, para. 1). By having these two needs met, Frank’s “skill earned him the respect of his coworkers,” which met Frank’s fifth need of feeling love and a sense of belonging (p.66, para. 1).
2) Before Frank was laid off, all of his five needs, proposed by Maslov, were met. However, working at the factory did not fully satisfy Frank’s physiological need because “he is tired all the time” and “the house, clothes, and food are not fancy but always adequate” (p. 65, para. 2). Frank feels that, although his physiological needs are being filled, they do not meet his expectations. “Sometimes he thinks that if he could just get enough sleep, he would be a truly happy man” (p.65, para. 1). Frank’s sleep deprivation is made up for by catching up on sleep during the weekends and