“Human needs is a term broadly used in the fields of psychology and sociology to describe the desires that people have for physiological, safety, social, or self-actualization needs.”

What are Needs?

They are intrinsic desires which all human beings have. They will always be there, because they are a part of the general needs that need to be fulfilled for them to survive and develop as a person. The main factor for the success of any human being is the fact that they will always strive to fulfill those needs in order to progress.

Types of Needs

Needs can be classified into five basic categories of human needs:  

1) Physiological:

a. Food, water and air are the most basic human needs that ensure the survival of individuals. 

  1. Clothing and shelter are required for physiologic needs to be met as well in order to prevent humans from illnesses and adverse weather conditions. 

2) Safety: 

  1. Protection is needed in order to ensure that people can live a life in safety and security. 
  2. Uncertainty is a feeling that people would like to avoid at all cost because it represents danger, so they will always try to overcome uncertainty by seeking stability and order so they can feel safe, secure and protected from harm or trouble in any form or shape of it.   

3) Social: 

  1. Humans need social interaction to develop their skills and knowledge as well as to fulfill the basic human needs.  
  2. The need of belongingness is also one of the sub-headings inside the social group that humans tend to belong to since it provides them with a mutual feeling of love, friendship and care for each other inside a society.  

4) Self-Actualization: 

  1. This is where people will try to find out what they are best suited for, so they can live a life that is fulfilled and valuable for themselves and their loved ones. Every individual has in inside them a potential which needs to be revealed in order for it to grow.  
  2. The need of individual self-fulfillment is also one of the sub-headings inside the self actualization group because it helps people to develop and grow in their personal lives.   

5) Ecological:

  1. We live in a society where our actions have effects on other people as well as on the environment, so every person needs to find out how they can live in harmony with it and coexist by minimizing their negative impacts on it.   
  2. The need of ecological balance is also one of the sub-headings inside the category of ecological needs because it helps people to behave in a more sensitive and responsible manner towards the environment.

Significance of Human Needs: 

Human needs are an integral part of human beings, as they are an intrinsic part of the human being that they are required to fulfill to be able to survive. They provide people with a sense of security so they can feel safe and protected from dangerous or harmful things. These wants and needs will always be present in all humans, because it is a part of their natural state and way of living. They will always search for fulfillment by helping them find out what they are best suited for in life and that which can help them live comfortably in society.

Theories related to Human Needs:

Human need theory is one of the theories which illustrate the fact that human beings will always seek gratification of their needs by fulfilling them. This theory was published by Erik Horney in his book entitled “Human Function and Social Structure” as one of the ones that would explain how individuals would present themselves to society.

Lewis Terman, Paternalistic Hypothesis, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Five-Factor Theory and Two-factor Theory are some of the theories which have been used to talk about human needs.

Society’s contribution to Human Needs:

The main contribution that humans have made in this world is the fact that they have produced modern living conditions and conveniences where most people can seek fulfillment from their basic needs. They now have the right to be happy because they know that everything that they want is possible. So, they will always try to fulfill their needs as best as they can in order to create a good life for themselves and their loved ones.

Today, humans also no longer need to search for food and shelter since they are provided with affordable food, water and shelter. This fact has helped people realize that there are people who will provide them with the resources that they need.

Human needs basically dictate how far a society can develop economically and socially. They also act as a driver towards the future and fueling the society towards growth. However, they can be affected if people misuse them and become greedy.

In general, we can say that human needs are promises of leading a fulfilled life because they will help you live under basic conditions that ensure proper physical sustenance and well-being. They are promises of being able to provide sufficient food, drink, clothing and shelter. These needs are essential in encouraging people to pursue more fulfilling lives so they can provide them with the things that they need in order to lead comfortable lives from then on.

Conclusion:

Human needs are promises for the future, for life and for growth. They help people to live better and more fulfilling lives so they can form a good society or group where everyone feels fulfilled and happy. Needs help us to fulfill certain needs we have as human beings. These needs can take various forms ranging from physical needs such as food, shelter, clothing etc., to psychological needs such as belongingness or self-actualization. There are three main categories of need: biological needs, behavioral needs, and cognitive/emotional needs. Within each need category there are also subcategories that are specific to individuals.