Information AboutNeed |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT NEED | |
| marketing | |
| evaluation | |
|
A human need can be defined either psychologically or objectively. These may be connected: the non-satisfaction of an objective need -- the failure to "pay" a cost of being a human -- is likely perceived by the needy as a "felt need." On the other hand, the specific manifestation of objective needs is defined by individual preferences and psychology: the need for food can appear in many different ways. PSYCHOLOGICAL DEFINITION First, to most psychologists, a need is as a psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a goal and the reason for the action, giving purpose and direction to behavior! The most widely known Academic Model Of Needs was proposed by the psychologist Abraham Maslow . In his theory, he proposed that people have a hierarchy of psychological needs, which range from security to self-actualization. However, while this model is intuitively appealing, it has been difficult to operationalize it experimentally. It was further developed by Clayton Alderfer . The academic study of needs was at its zenith in the 1950's. It receives less attention among psychologists today. One exception is Richard Sennett 's work on the importance of Respect . One of the problems with a psychological theory of needs is that conceptions of "need" may vary radically between different cultures or different parts of the same society. One person's view of need may easily be seen seen as paternalistic by another! OBJECTIVE DEFINITION The second view of need is represented by the work by Political Economy Professor Ian Gough. He has published on the subject of human needs in the context of social assistance provided by the Welfare State With medical ethics Professor Len Doyal [http://www.ihse.qmul.ac.uk/staff/staff.php?action=cv&uid=244 , he also published ''The Theory of Human Need''. Their view goes beyond the emphasis on psychology: it might be said that an individual's needs are representive of the ''costs of being human'' within society. A person who does not have his or her needs fulfilled -- i.e., a "needy" person -- will function poorly in society. In the view of Gough and Doyal, each person has an objective interest in avoiding serious harm that prevents the endeavor to attain his or her vision of what's good, no matter what that is exactly. This attempt requires the ability to ''participate'' in the societal setting in which an individual lives. More specifically, each of needs to have both physical health and personal autonomy. The latter refers to the capacity to make informed choices about what should be done and how to implement that. This requires mental health, cognitive skills, and chances to participate in society's activities and collective decision-making. How are such needs satisfied? Doyal and Gough point to eleven broad categories of "intermediate needs" that define how the need for physical health and personal autonomy are fulfilled: adequate nutritional food and water, adequate protective housing, a safe environment for working, a safe physical environment, appropriate health care, security in childhood, significant primary relationships with others, physical security, economic security, safe birth control and child-bearing, and appropriate basic and cross-cultural education. How are the details of needs satisfaction determined? The authors point to rational identification of needs using the most up-to-date scientific knowledge; the use of the actual experience of individuals in their everyday lives; and democratic decision-making. The satisfaction of human needs cannot be imposed "from above." This theory should be compared to the Capability Approach developed by Amartya Sen and Martha Nussbaum . Those with more internal "assets" (education, sanity, physical strength, etc.) have more capabilities and are more able to escape or avoid poverty. Those with more capabilities fulfill more of their needs. OTHER VIEWS The concept of Intellectual Need has been studied in Education . In his 1844 ''Paris Manuscripts'', in ''A Theory of Need in Marx'' (London: Allison and Busby, 1976). Political economy Professor Michael Lebowitz has developed the Marxian interpretation of needs further in two editions of his book ''Beyond Capital''.[http://www.palgrave-usa.com/Catalog/product.aspx?isbn=0333964292 Marshall Rosenberg 's model of Compassionate Communication also known as Nonviolent Communication (NVC)http://www.cnvc.org makes the distinction between universal human needs (what sustains and motivates human life) and specific strategies used to meet these needs. In contrast to Maslow, Rosenberg's model does not place needs in a hierarchy.http://www.cnvc.org/needs.htm In this model, feelings are seen as indicators of when human needs are met or unmet. One of the intended outcomes of Rosenberg's model is to support humans in developing an awareness of what life-sustaining needs are arising within them and others moment by moment so that they may more effectively and compassionately find strategies to meet their own needs as well as contribute to meeting the needs of others. People also talk about the needs of a community or organization. Such needs might include demand for a particular type of business, for a certain government program or entity, or for individuals with particular skills. REFERENCES Ian Gough. 1994. Economic Institutions and the Satisfaction of Human Needs. Journal of Economic Issues. vol. 28, no. 1 (March), pp. 25-66. SEE ALSO |
|
|