The term need refers to a feeling that motivates people toward action in order to meet a goal or achieve an objective. It can also refer to a physical requirement that must be fulfilled. In psychology, the concept of need is closely associated with the psychological theory developed by Abraham Maslow. His theory is based on the notion that humans have a hierarchy of psychological needs, from basic physiological or lower-order needs such as food and water through to higher-order needs such as belonging and self-actualization. In other words, human beings spend a great deal of their time and resources attempting to satisfy these lower-order needs, before the higher-order needs become meaningful.
In this context, the word need is distinguished from want, which is a desire that can be satisfied without much effort. The difference between a need and a want is that a need must be fulfilled for a person to function normally. A lack of meeting a need causes a negative outcome, such as illness or death. A need is therefore an essential component of life, whereas a want is something that could be deferred or even foregone.
Need is also used to describe an internal state of being that is required for a person to function well in society. The authors of the Doyal-Gough Theory suggest that every individual possesses a set of fundamental requirements for living as a human being, including mental health and personal autonomy. These requirements are independent of a person’s cultural background and can be considered universal across individuals. A person’s ability to fulfil these requirements is dependent on his or her internal assets, which can include cognitive skills and opportunities for participation in societal decision-making.
A person’s level of need is influenced by the messages he or she receives about money throughout his or her life. If a person receives positive and consistent messages about the role of money in a fulfilling life, then he or she may have clarity about what is important to him or her with regard to financial well-being. On the other hand, a person whose upbringing includes examples of money dysfunction or arguments between parents with divergent money views may have more confusion about what is most important for financial security.
In the business world, marketers often use the phrase need to describe a demand for a product or service. For example, a company might advertise that its product meets a client’s need to make their advertising campaigns more effective.
Journalists often write news stories with a user needs approach, which involves identifying a need in the audience and highlighting it within the story. This technique can help to increase the relevance of a news item and attract readers’ attention. It can also increase the readership of a newspaper, magazine or website and improve brand loyalty. A news needs approach is a type of heuristic analysis, which is a form of qualitative research that attempts to identify a key factor in behavior.