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Types of Human Needs

Aug 5, 2025

Overview

This lecture explains the different types of human needs, how they develop, and how they are classified based on various criteria.

Types of Needs by Intensity

  • Primary needs are essential for survival, such as food, clothing, and shelter.
  • Secondary needs arise after primary needs are met and vary by person, like computers for programmers or glasses for those with vision issues.
  • Tertiary needs are luxury items or services desired after primary and secondary needs are fulfilled, such as jewelry or luxury cars.

Types of Needs by Nature

  • Physical needs impact the body, like exercise or medical care.
  • Spiritual needs fulfill emotional or inner feelings, like worship or feeling loved.

Types of Needs by Subject

  • Individual needs are satisfied for personal benefit, such as school uniforms and stationery for students.
  • Social needs are fulfilled for groups or communities, like hospitals, worship places, and roads.

Types of Needs by Time

  • Current needs require immediate fulfillment, such as eating when hungry or taking medicine when sick.
  • Future needs are planned for later, like saving money for education.

Key Terms & Definitions

  • Primary needs — basic needs required for survival.
  • Secondary needs — needs that arise after primary needs, tailored to individual circumstances.
  • Tertiary needs — luxury or non-essential needs met after primary and secondary.
  • Physical needs — needs affecting the body’s health and function.
  • Spiritual needs — needs relating to emotions, feelings, or inner satisfaction.
  • Individual needs — needs serving one person's satisfaction.
  • Social needs — needs serving the collective or community.
  • Current needs — needs demanding immediate fulfillment.
  • Future needs — needs planned to be satisfied later.

Action Items / Next Steps

  • Review the definitions and examples of each type of need.
  • Be prepared to classify needs in various examples in future lessons.