Need is a psychological feature of our existence. It drives behavior by arousing an organism to take action. Without a need, an organism would not be able to function properly and would be at risk of disease. Unmet needs can lead to poor health, inability to function within society, and even death. Needs and wants are commonly discussed in philosophy, biology, psychology, economics, marketing, politics, and other fields.
Besides being a modal verb, need also takes the auxiliary form. When used with a main verb, it agrees with the subject. It also takes to before the following verb. However, in certain constructions, it does not combine with the main verb. It is commonly used with to and could but not with might.
In the 1950s, academic study of needs reached its peak. Now, however, it receives less attention. Some studies show that needs vary among people from different cultures and parts of a society. For example, Richard Sennett has studied the need for respect. Some psychological theories of needs do not have an equivalent in another culture, but some may work within the same society. In addition to these theories, the self-determination theory emphasizes the cost of a person’s unmet needs. Unmet needs can lead to poor performance.
The definition of a need is a state or situation in which something needs to be provided. The need can be anything, from a child in need of affection to crops in need of water. Whatever the case, the need will lead to some form of action. There are many ways to meet a need, but the key is to be persistent and attentive to details.
The need for health care is a societal and cultural construct. It must be perceived as beneficial by the individual. Such needs are often called wants or demand, and they are often influenced by societal factors, resource constraints, and cultural norms. In some cases, public funding may determine the level of a need.
Despite the fact that need and want are similar, it is important to distinguish between them. The need to satisfy one’s needs is a necessity for survival. A desire, on the other hand, is an arbitrary desire. It can be present in the present or in the future. While a person can survive without fulfilling a need, unmet wants can cause illness or death.
Similarly, a person can receive financial aid based on their achievements, but it is important to remember that a need is not the only factor in determining financial aid. A student can also receive merit-based aid, such as scholarships. Merit-based aid is more likely to be based on academic performance and extracurricular activities. The recipient of a scholarship may have to maintain a certain GPA in order to continue receiving funds.