What Is a Basic Human Need: an Overview

Understanding what motivates human beings is crucial if we want to develop personally and lead fulfilling lives. It's like needing foundations in place before we construct a house with walls and a roof.

This idea mirrors Maslow's theory of needs that we must meet particular fundamental needs before progressing toward growth and self-actualization (realizing our full potential).

By knowing about this hierarchy, we can gain an understanding of what drives us at different stages – whether that is simply staying alive or more complex desires.

Are you interested in psychology? Hoping to do some personal development? Either way, you'll find plenty of food for thought in this article as we explore why people do the things they do.

What Are Basic Human Needs?

Basic human needs are fundamental requirements for survival and success. These needs form the foundation for well-being and include physical requirements for survival, such as food, water, and shelter, and emotional or psychological needs, like love, friendship, and self-esteem.

Consider what life would be like without these things—it wouldn't be living at all. Basic human needs are so essential that they drive behavior. They're behind why we do what we do.

When all of our basic needs are met, a world opens up beyond them: one where we can aim for personal goals such as self-fulfillment (knowing we've achieved our potential).

If any of these requirements are not fulfilled, then a lot of effort will go into addressing that deficit (lack), which can make us feel worried or unhappy. Knowing about and meeting your basic human needs is essential if you want balanced physical and mental health contentment.

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is a psychology theory that explains the progression of human motivation. First presented in 1943's "A Theory of Human Motivation," Maslow's hierarchy shows five levels as a pyramid.

The base includes physiological needs—we require food, water, shelter—to survive. Then come safety needs, love and belonging, and esteem. At the top is self-actualization, when we seek personal growth and fulfillment. Some even add cognitive and aesthetic needs.

By studying human behavior, Maslow developed this idea and identified specific everyday needs that everyone has. His work was groundbreaking because it looked at what makes us thrive rather than just problems.

The hierarchy suggests people can only aim for goals higher up if their basic requirements lower down are met. This concept has had a significant impact on fields including psychology itself—as well as education, business, and beyond—providing a framework for understanding human motives systematically and how to address them, too.

We should remember, too. Maslow is saying there's an order to things on our path to being happy with ourselves!

5 Basic Human Needs

Now that you have an understanding of the concept of basic human needs let's analyze them in detail:

Physiological Needs

Physiological needs are the most basic requirements for basic survival — the foundation upon which Maslow built his Hierarchy of Needs. They include air, water, food, shelter and sleep.

It would be nearly impossible to concentrate on school or work while starving or suffering from a lack of sleep. While all five levels are important, none can be reached without first satisfying those in the physiological tier.

Examples are everywhere: A person who lacks clean drinking water will drop everything else they are doing upon discovering a source. Somebody who has yet to eat all day will think about little else until finding food. Anyone caught outside during a cold snap intuitively seeks warmth.

Fulfilling these basic needs allows people to address components higher up in the Pyramid so that they may ultimately experience a sense of balance and fulfillment throughout their lives.

Safety Needs

Once we have taken care of our basic physical needs, the next things we look for are safety and security. This includes personal safety – like staying out of danger or violence – as well as having enough money to live on, health and being emotionally stable.

For example, children need to feel safe at home before they can think about anything else. Adults may want a job that pays regularly so they don't have to worry about money all the time, or a relationship where they do not get abused or neglected.

When we feel safe and don't have any worries (about things like where we will sleep tonight or if someone will hurt us), then we can pay attention to other stuff as well. We think about making friends, doing what we set out for ourselves, or finding out the types of things that make us grow personally.

Love and Belonging Needs

The third level of Maslow's hierarchy, love and belongingness, speaks to our need for social interaction and relationships. Being around people we care about is refreshing—we're social creatures, after all.

If someone feels alone, they might join clubs or online groups in order to feel part of something. This need also covers emotional intimacy, andtrusting and being accepted by others we are close to. Attending family events, having good friends nearby and being in love are all things that fulfill this requirement.

When we feel loved and connected (with the world? More specifically?), we tend to be happier overall—as well as mentally healthy—and can help out others better, too. Contributing positivity makes communities stronger.

Esteem Needs

One's sense of self-worth depends on gaining admiration, self-respect, and approval from other people. There are two kinds of esteem, according to Maslow: the kind we get from others and the kind we feel within ourselves when we experience achievement, confidence, and competence.

For example, if our boss praises us at work then we feel proud and this can give us a confidence boost to aim for promotion or take on more responsibilities. Or if we set ourselves a goal like learning how to play guitar and we achieve this, it can make feel good about yourself (increase your self-esteem).

When someone has both these types of esteem, they will probably have lots of friends who feel worthwhile. This may help them to move up Maslow's hierarchy towards self-actualization – becoming everything one is capable of becoming!

Self-Actualization

Self-actualization is at the top of Maslow's hierarchy. It means reaching your full potential and growing as a person. This could be by doing creative activities that make you feel fulfilled or achieving long-held goals, such as becoming a published writer.

Different people want to grow in different ways so what feels like self-actualization for one person might not for another. But overall, it means working on yourself continuously, improving who you are and what you can do.

People who have this need met are often pleased. They find joy and meaning in life easily and feel like they're exactly where they're meant to be. Everything makes sense somehow.

It's important to note that nobody ever completely finishes with self-actualization! Instead, think of it as a journey we're all on – lifelong trips during which we grow (sometimes without even realizing it).

Impact of Basic Needs on Daily Decisions

Recognizing how fundamental human needs shape our everyday choices can provide valuable insights into our behaviors and motivations.

Physiological Needs Drive Immediate Choices

Physiological requirements significantly impact our behavior. Whenever we lack necessities such as food, nutrients, or sleep, the human body ensures that finding them becomes our main priority.

These needs can influence everyday choices like meal times and locations, as well as more significant decisions such as organizing the week so there is time for sufficient rest.

Not having appropriately slept, being very hungry or thirsty, and having trouble focusing on anything don't likely have an instant effect on your life right now!

Safety Needs Influence Long-Term Planning

Decisions about where we live, work, and money matters are driven by our need to feel safe. If we opt for a secure area or take a job with good benefits, it's because security is important to us.

The same goes for financial choices, such as saving for an emergency or buying insurance. These, too, are partly motivated by a desire for safety—being prepared for whatever life throws at you.

Such decisions provide a solid base from which other things can be achieved—an education or a challenging career, for example. Knowing that there is this foundation they don't have to worry about all the time helps people confidently pursue further aims!

Social Needs Shape Interactions

Our social interactions and relationships are influenced by our need to feel loved and belong. This need guides our decisions about spending time with people, our participation in social activities, and our attempts to keep friendships going.

For instance, joining clubs, going to community events, or making sure we see family members and friends all meet our need for social connection.

When things go well during social encounters, they boost our mood and help us feel good. If we're upset about something, having someone to talk to can provide emotional support.

Esteem Needs Guide Personal and Professional Goals

People's need for esteem—feeling valued and respected—affects their professional and personal goals. Because we want others to recognize and approve of us, we often choose things that we know will make them do so (or that we hope will!).

Think about it: why do you take pride in your job or work hard to get ahead? One reason is that these activities satisfy your need for esteem. The same is true, of course, when you achieve something in your personal life.

Self-Actualization Encourages Personal Growth

Self-actualization, the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment, is among the top basic needs. This need affects choices about personal development and long-term goals.

When we choose to follow our passions, aim high, and keep learning new things, it's because we want to be self-actualized. And these choices bring a greater sense of purpose and satisfaction. They encourage us to reach our full potential!

Takeaway Lessons from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs

Understanding the hierarchy of needs can have a significant impact on how you approach relationships, personal growth, and your life in general. Here are some important takeaways that you can apply day to day:

Prioritize Your Essentials

Make sure you are eating well, staying hydrated, sleeping enough, and have a safe environment. If something feels off or you're stressed about it, check if one of these fundamental needs isn't being met.

Taking care of the basics can improve your overall well-being – and make it easier to deal with more complex problems later on.

Build Strong Relationships

The hierarchy shows how meaningful social connections are. Having good bonds with family, friends, and colleagues can provide help when things go wrong and give you a sense of purpose.

Regularly speaking to loved ones who don't live with you or scheduling time to catch up with friends (even if this has to be done online) can significantly increase how happy and socially well-off you feel.

Acknowledge Your Accomplishments

Remember to pat yourself on the back from time to time and let others know about your triumphs, too. Sharing them with a mentor or loved one can give you a confidence lift as well as motivation.

Aim for Inner Development

Lastly, the theory says you should aim for self-improvement and personal growth, whether that entails following a passion, setting goals for yourself, or seeking out fresh challenges.

Taking a course because you want to learn something (rather than solely to impress an employer) or making time for an activity purely because you enjoy it can both contribute towards feeling satisfied and fulfilled in a more profound way.

Alternative Approach: McClelland's Theory of Needs

Though Maslow's hierarchy is common knowledge, McClelland's Theory of Needs presents another way to look at what drives us, boiling it down to three primary needs: achievement, affiliation, and power.

The Need for Achievement

The need for achievement refers to a craving for success and the attainment of excellence. Individuals with this motivation are inclined to set difficult goals for themselves, look out for ways to obtain feedback on their performance and take calculated risks.

For instance, an entrepreneur who starts up their own company may be motivated by a need for achievement as they want to both innovate within their industry and do well in terms of competition. This urge pushes people to constantly improve so that they can shine in what they do!

The Need for Affiliation

We all have a basic need for affiliation or friendly social connections. People who like lots of affiliation enjoy being part of groups and getting along well with others. They often prefer working in teams rather than alone. They're also motivated by making sure everyone feels included.

For example, a teacher who creates a welcoming classroom where kids work together probably has a high need foraffiliation. The relationships among students (and between students and teachers) are considered key for learning.

This drive helps shape how we make friends, family bonds, and even the way we relate to coworkers—it's about creating networks that matter to us.

The Need for Power

The need for power includes wanting to control and influence other people. There are two types of power: personal (to control for themselves) and institutional power (to control for a larger purpose).

When leading an organization, it can be helpful to know which kind of power motivates someone so you can tailor your leadership style or better understand group dynamics.

For instance, a politician who calls for social reform might have an institutional need for power. They're using their sway over others to try and make society better overall.

Conclusion

We can gain important insights into basic human needs by understanding what motivates us. These needs influence how we make choices, form relationships, and grow as individuals.

When we prioritize these essentials, we improve our overall happiness, build connections that are more meaningful, and find greater clarity and intention in our passions.

Identifying and meeting our needs is more than just survival. It's about flourishing—living well-rounded, satisfying lives. Take this wisdom to heart. Use it to light your way toward a more awakened, inspired path.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are the Most Fundamental Human Needs?

The most fundamental human needs are physiological: things like food, water, shelter, and sleep that are necessary for survival.

What Does It Mean By Basic Needs?

Basic needs are core requirements for human survival and well-being – including physical and safety needs.

Is Self-actualization a Basic Human Need?

No, self-actualization is a higher-level need concerned with personal growth and fulfillment – it comes after we have satisfied our basic needs.

What Is the Main Idea of Maslow's Theory of Needs?

Maslow's theory suggests that human needs form a hierarchy. We must satisfy basic physiological needs before progressing to self-actualization.