| Survival is, of course, the most basic of the five needs--without
survival, any discussion of the four psychological needs would be pointless.
Anything that helps to insure a person's survival is included under this
category of need. Therefore, food, shelter, water, money, warmth,
procreation, and safety represent satisfaction of survival needs. As Maslow
suggests in his Hierarchy of Needs, if the survival level is not adequately
being addressed, it is difficult to focus on the satisfaction of other
needs. If one's health is in jeopardy, for example, other concerns tend to
become relatively less important. Even a lesser threat, such as being cold
or hungry when one is sitting in a classroom, will likely affect a person's
ability to address other needs, such as feeling empowered via academic
achievement.
One might think that
survival is always the strongest of the needs, chosen by everyone over the
satisfaction of the other needs. Yet some people risk physical injury rather
than being the object of disrepect, choosing to fight to defend their honor.
There are even those who would risk death at the hands of an armed robber
rather than give up their possessions. Likewise, in an attempt to satisfy
the need for love and belonging, a person may sacrifice his or her personal
well-being. On the other hand, satisfaction of the four psychological needs
may not seem so important to a person who is experiencing physical pain or
discomfort. |
