Primary needs

Primary needs
See also
Need Audience profile Non financial motivation Entertainment allowance Urban tourism Task identity Market potential Land agent Acquired needs theory

The primary needs are the person's needs or requirements, which are determined by the factors to the individual is exposed to. These needs are linked to the survival of the human being: food, clothing, footwear, housing, health, etc.

All people need something that is necessary to maintain life and ensure well-being. For years thinkers like Aristotle considered human behaviour and their needs. Human needs change over time but the most important ones stay the same and human survival depends on them (K. Sopher, 1991).

Secondary Needs

Secondary needs are associated with the desire for pleasure and fulfilment: furniture or design articles, a luxury car, the latest and technologically advanced mobile phone, jewellery, etc.

Once the company recognises these needs, it can determine the type of the product or service they want to offer on the market. Even if particular items or services are not absolutely necessary for the person's survival, they are still desired and wanted.

Maslow's hierarchy of needs

Maslow presented his concept of the hierarchy of needs in his article published in 1943 ("Human motivation") and his later book, "Motivation and personality". This hierarchy suggests that people are motivated to meet basic needs before moving on to other more advanced needs.

As a humanist, Maslow believed that people have an innate desire for self-realization. However, there are many other needs that need to be fulfilled before achieving these ultimate goals, like food demand, security, love and self-esteem should be met (K. Cherry).

Maslow called the highest level of the pyramid a need for growth (also known as being the needs or needs B). Growth needs are not due to a lack of something, but rather from the desire to grow as a person (K. Cherry).

Maslow identified 5 levels of human needs:

• Physiological Needs

They cover the most basic survival needs, such as the need for water, food, air and sleep. Maslow thought these were the most basic needs in the hierarchy because until these physiological needs are met all the remaining needs become secondary.

• Security Needs

These include security needs. Security needs are important to survival but they are not as basic as physiological needs. Examples of security needs are, for example, the desire for permanent employment and health insurance, and secure neighbourhoods.

• Social Needs

They include the needs of love, belonging and acceptance. Maslow thought they must be less basic than physiological and security needs. Relationships such as romantic attachments, friendships and families help meet the need for companionship and acceptance, as well as a commitment to social, religious or community groups.

• Esteem Needs

After satisfying the first three needs, we feel the need for respect. The esteem needs include the desire for things that reflect self-esteem, social recognition and achievement.

• Self-actualizing Needs

These needs are at the highest level in his hierarchy. Thanks to self-realization people are aware, strive for personal development and are less concerned about the opinions of others, being interested in realizing their potential (K. Cherry).

References

• Cherry K., (2019) Hierarchy of Needs. The Five Levels of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs
• Cherry K., (2018) How Maslow's Famous Hierarchy Explains Human Motivation Medically reviewed by a board-certified physician
• Gough I., (1991) A Theory of Human Need Macmillan
• Wilson T. D., (2000) Human Information Behavior University of Sheffield

Author: Paulina Byrska