Human Needs by Alok Mohan

Human Needs

People   tend to excel to meet their unmet needs. Human Needs  go beyond just food, water, clothing and shelter. Physiological needs are obvious as they are the literal requirements for human survival. If these requirements are not met, the human body simply cannot continue to function. Physiological needs include Breathing, Nutrition, Air, water, food etc. After  physical needs are  satisfied, individual’s safety needs take precedence and dominate his behavior. These needs have to do with people’s yearning for a predictable orderly world.  Safety and Security needs include Personal security, Financial security, Health and well-being, Safety net against accidents/illness etc. Safety Needs & Psychological needs are satisfied then this fact may add to their happiness. We at times get confused  & consider Needs with Wants. We must know that Needs are life supporting, whereas wants are optional. Happiness is a subjective thing that differs from individual to individual. Safety security is a  need for structure, predictability, stability, and freedom from fear and anxiety. While belongingness/Love is a need to be accepted by others and to have strong personal ties with one’s family, friends, and identity groups. Self-esteem is a need to be recognized by oneself and others as strong, competent, and capable person. Personal fulfillment is a  the need to reach one’s potential in all areas of life. After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the third layer of human needs are social and involve feelings of belongingness This aspect involves emotionally based relationships in general, such as Friendship, Intimacy, Family etc. The need for self identity is in relation to the outside world. Identity becomes a problem when one’s identity is not recognized by society or when it is considered inferior or is threatened by others with different identifications.Cultural security is a need  related to identity, the need for recognition of one’s language, traditions, religion, cultural values, ideas, and concepts.Freedom is a  condition of having no physical, political, or civil restraints; having the capacity to exercise choice in all aspects of one’s life. Distributive Justice is a  need for the fair allocation of resources among all members of a Family/a Community/a Nation. Human needs theorists argue that one of the primary causes of protracted or intractable conflict is people’s unyielding drive to meet their unmet needs on the individual, group, and societal level. What a man can be, he must be and this  forms the basis of the perceived need for self-actualization. All humans have a need to be respected and to have self-esteem and self-respect. Also known as the belonging need, esteem presents the normal human desire to be accepted and valued by others. People need to engage themselves to gain recognition and have an activity or activities that give the person a sense of contribution, to feel accepted and self-valued, be it in a profession or hobby. Imbalances at any level can result in low self-esteem/inferiority complex.

Following needs, therefore,  if satisfied  may make people happy.

v Safety Needs: Job Security, Social Security, financial security, Harmony

v Psychological needs: Friends, Social Circle, Colleagues, Group

v Esteem Needs: Power, Recognition, Status

v Self Actualisation Needs: Peace

Alok Mohan  www.mqc.co.in