A need is an expression of dissatisfaction or the desire to have something. It is a central concept in many fields, including psychology, philosophy, biology, sociology, economics and marketing. The term need is often contrasted with want, with needs being regarded as necessities and wants being desires or aspirations.
The word need can be used as a noun or a verb. A need can refer to an object, a person or a state of being. In most cases, it is used as a noun and can be interpreted as meaning a requirement or an imperative. It is also sometimes used as a verb, but this is less common and more restricted in its uses. It can refer to a person’s ability or capacity to do a thing, as in “He has the need to write a book.”
Need and necessity both mean something that is required but does not necessarily have to be fulfilled. However, the former is more commonly used in English and is considered more appropriate when speaking of human requirements, such as those related to health or shelter. The latter, on the other hand, is more common in legal documents and has a more technical meaning, such as a statement of fact or a legal claim.
There are various definitions of need, but the most widely accepted academic model of human needs is based on a hierarchy developed by psychologist Abraham Maslow in his 1956 book Motivation and Personality. The theory states that humans have a series of deficiency needs that must be satisfied in order to achieve self-actualization. The first set of deficiency needs he identified are basic survival requirements, which include food, water and shelter. This is followed by emotional needs, esteem needs and self-actualization needs.
People often talk about their own needs, but they can also speak of the needs of groups or individuals. For example, there was a need to economize after the local governments faced scarcity and the need to enlarge the electoral base in the aftermath of the 1968 election.
When writing an article, it is important to consider the reader’s perspective and what they need to know in order to understand the topic you are discussing. This can help you create more compelling articles that are more useful to your readers. You can also try to appeal to the readers’ emotions by using personal anecdotes and stories in your articles. This will make them more relatable to the audience and will encourage them to keep reading. Lastly, you should always conduct preliminary research on the topic to familiarize yourself with it and ensure that you are providing accurate information. This will give you an edge over your competitors and can boost the credibility of your articles. For instance, a person who wants to write about the need for a healthier lifestyle should make sure to study up on nutrition and fitness theories before starting writing.