Understanding the human needs that are relevant to any situation, relationship – or even brief encounter – can be extremely helpful in connecting with other people.
We've grouped this selection of needs under three headings.
Physical needs speak for themselves – they're essential for our bodily health and wellbeing.
The psychological/emotional needs are grouped according to 'Self' – those that you can satisfy by yourself as an individua; and 'Others', needs that can only be met by other people. Although you will notice that some needs are in both list.
Physical Needs
air | food | health | movement |
rest | safety | sex | shelter |
sleep | touch | warmth | water |
Emotional/Psychological Needs – Self
accuracy | achievement | agency | authenticity |
beauty | challenge | choice | clarity |
coherence | compassion | consistency | control |
creativity | economy (thrift) | effectiveness | efficiency |
freedom | fulfilment | growth | harmony |
honesty | hope | humour | identity |
influence | inspiration | integrity | learning |
logic | meaning | nature | novelty |
to nurture | order | pain avoidance | peace |
play (fun) | pleasure | positive self-regard | power |
privacy | quality | (self) reflection | relevance |
self-expression | spirituality | stability | stimulation |
Emotional/Psychological Needs – Others
acceptance | acknowledgement | appreciation | belonging |
communication | community | company | connection |
consideration | empathy | fairness | friendship |
harmony | honesty | identity | inclusion |
influence | integrity | love | loyalty |
positive regard | respect | reliability | sincerity |
status | support | trust | understanding |
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