The 13 types of human needs: what are they?

What are the main human needs and what theories explain them?

As human beings develop and our needs evolve, they become their source of motivation, that which drives us to act as we do.

Surely, one of the most important theorists regarding human needs and motivation is Abraham Maslow, a humanistic psychologist who proposed that human needs and motivation are the source of our motivation.a humanistic psychologist who proposed the "Theory of Human Needs", better known as Maslow's Pyramid.

• If you want to know more about this figure of humanistic psychology, you can read our article: "Abraham Maslow's Personality Theory".

Types of human needs

In his famous pyramid, Maslow tells us about five human needs that are arranged in different levelsfrom the base of the pyramid to the top of the pyramid. These needs must be met one by one in order to feel satisfied with ourselves and our lives. According to him, it is only possible to reach the top of the pyramid if the previous needs have been met one by one.

However, there are other criteria for classifying human needs. Below we show you the different ways of classifying these needs. They are the following:

• Recommended article: "Maslow's pyramid: the hierarchy of human needs".

According to their importance or nature

The needs can be vital or not, that is to say, they can carry an organic risk if they are not satisfied in some cases, and they can be accessory for the survival of the individual in others.

1. Primary needs

These are the vital needs, i.e, are those whose satisfaction depends on the survival of the person.. For example, eating, sleeping, breathing, hydrating, etc. These are needs related to the maintenance of the minimum standards that allow the body to function well.

2. Secondary Needs

They are not vital but increase the level of satisfaction and well-being of the person.. They usually have a cultural component, so they can be different depending on the culture and even the temporal moment. For example, to have a car, to have a cell phone, etc.

Depending on their origin

Depending on the origin, human needs can be:

3. individual needs

These are the needs that an individual or person has, and can be of two kinds:

• NaturalThese are the primary needs: eating, drinking water, etc.
• SocialThese are those of a cultural nature: to wear a watch, to celebrate a wedding, to wear a tie, etc.

4. Collective needs

These are the needs of individuals as a group or society, i.e. as citizens: public transport, security and order, etc.

According to their economic significance

Depending on whether they have an economic function or not, needs can be....

5. Economic needs

These are needs that require an economic activity in order to be fulfilled.. For example, the cell phone or eating (buying food at the market).

6. Non-economic needs

These needs do not require an economic activity. For example, breathing, and basically any area of life that is beyond commercial transactions.

According to their nature

Maslow's theory also speaks of deficit needs and the development of the person.

7. Deficit needs

They refer to the fact that there is a lack if we do not satisfy them, i.e., we cannot live without them.. These are physiological, security, affiliation and recognition needs. Satisfying deficit needs is important to avoid consequences or unpleasant feelings.

8. Development of the self

They are important for personal growthThey do not have to do with the deficit of something, but with the desire to grow as a person. Therefore, they are basically based on ideas about the self and the way in which these have an effect on the emotional states of the person.

According to Abraham Maslow

According to Maslow's theory, there are different human needs:

9. Physiological needs

The first level of Abraham Maslow's pyramid consists of the basic needs that human beings require every day: physiological needs, physiological needs, physiological needs, physiological needs, physiological needs human beings require every day: food, clothing and shelter.. These daily needs are primary and physiological, and consist of the physical requirements for the human body to function properly, including air, water and sleep. In other words, they are necessary for our survival, and if they were not met, we would not be able to stay alive. Therefore, human beings need to meet them at all times.

10. Security needs

In Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs Pyramid, the second level needs are security needs. Human beings need to be secure in their well-being and safety.. For example, we don't like to worry about burglars in our home or that we don't have a house to be safe in. People value good health, as well as personal and financial security.

11. Affiliation needs

The third level in the hierarchy of human needs is the needs for affiliation or social needs.. People need to love and be loved in return, they need to feel that others value them and they need affection. Human beings also feel the need to belong to social groups and, consequently, we like to have a sense of connection and belonging with others.

We all need to fit in, interact and be accepted by the people around us. Family, friendships and relationships are important for us to fulfill our social needs.

12. Needs for recognition or esteem

People need to be respected and esteemed. This need for respect and self-respect constitutes the fourth level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs. As with other needs of people, these needs are interrelated with other human needs and build a continuum with them. As a consequence, esteem needs have two phases.

The first, which extends from a person's social needs, is the need to gain the respect of others. This type of need for respect drives individuals to seek fame, honor and prestige. The second, which demands respect for oneself, not only from other people.

13. Self-realization needs

These are the needs that are at the highest level of the pyramid. They have to do with what people want to become. When individuals have satisfied their previous needs, they feel a strong desire to be the person they dream of being.

In other words, they feel the need to self-actualize, to actualize their potential and to bring out their talents and the fullness of their nature. and the fullness of their nature. Maslow believes that whatever potential a person possesses, he or she should bring it out. It is what the individual is born for and what will make him happy.

• If you want to know what self-actualized people are like, you can visit our post: "13 characteristics of self-actualized people according to Abraham Maslow".