The concept of need has broad implications for a variety of academic disciplines, including philosophy, biology, psychology, sociology, education and economics. The study of needs is particularly important in humanistic or “needs-based” approaches to learning, a model that emphasizes how people learn most effectively when their unique needs are met. The most famous academic model of need is Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which explains how humans desire to fulfill their basic physiological and psychological needs before pursuing higher-order needs like belonging and self-actualization.
In everyday use, the term need is used to describe a person’s requirements for survival or functioning in society. Some of these needs are universal, such as the need for air, water and food. Others are more specific, such as the need for a certain job or income level. Many of these needs are reflected in cultural values and traditions, and may vary radically between different societies or within the same culture.
A number of different theories have been proposed to explain why some of these needs are more important than others. One of the most popular is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which describes how people desire to fulfill their basic physiological and psychological needs (food, water and shelter) before pursuing higher-order needs like belonging, esteem and self-actualization. This theory is widely accepted, though its precise definition of “need” has been criticized by some scholars.
Another theory of need focuses on what psychologists call “the costs of being human,” which involves the need for autonomy, love and connection. This theory is more akin to the Doyal and Gough Theory of Self-Determination, which also focuses on the importance of meeting individual needs in order to function well in society.
Countable nouns can have a plural form, and most do. For example, if you need a book for school, you might have to buy several copies. Uncountable nouns, on the other hand, do not have a plural form. Generally speaking, uncountable nouns are preceded by the indefinite articles “a” and “an,” while countable nouns are usually preceded by the definite article “the.”
A common way to assess personal needs is to create a list of activities/actions that you believe will benefit you. This can help you identify the types of activities/actions that will meet your specific needs and then plan for them. For example, if your personal need is creativity you might want to consider taking a painting class. Alternatively, if your personal need is feeling connected and loved you might want to plan to attend a family reunion. Ultimately, you should create and execute a plan to meet your specific personal needs in order to achieve happiness and success in life.