Human Needs

Needs are defined as a lack of something that is required or desired. Needs motivate the individual to behave or act so that the needs will be met if at all possible

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Developed by a psychologist named Abraham Maslow

Certain needs have priority over other needs

Lower needs must be met before an individual can strive for the higher needs

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Self-Actualiz-

ation

Esteem

Belongingness and Love

Safety

Physiological

Physiological Needs

These are the basic needs required by everyone to sustain life

Food, water, oxygen, elimination of waste materials, protection from extreme temperatures

Sensory needs If not met, a person

may die

Safety

Includes the need to be free from anxiety and fear and the need to feel secure in the environment

The need for order and routine and stablility

New environment, divorce, job loss, disease, illness or injury can threaten an individual’s sense safety

Love and Affection Social acceptance,

friendship, and love The need to

belong, to relate to others and win approval of others

Must be able to give and receive affection and love

Sexuality

Sexuality is both a part of the need for love and affection as well as a physiological need

Sexuality is… People’s feelings concerning their

masculine or feminine natures Their ability to give and receive love and

affection Their roles in reproduction of the species

Sexuality

Sexuality involves a person’s feelings and attitudes, not just the person’s sexual relationships

Sexuality extends throughout the life cycle

Esteem

Feeling important and worthwhile – includes respect, approval, appreciation

We engage in activities that bring achievement, success, and recognition

We gain self-confidence and begin to direct our actions toward becoming what we WANT to be

Self-Actualization

Self-realization; obtaining our full potential; becoming confident, eager to express our beliefs, and willing to reach out to others to help them

When needs are felt – we are motivated to act.

If we are successful, we feel satisfaction, pleasure, fulfillment.

If the needs are not met, we feel tension, and frustration,

Needs

If several needs are felt at one time and individual must decide which is the strongest

People feel needs at different levels of intensity

As we grow older we learn more effective ways to meet our needs

To Meet Our Human Needs

We usually learn what works by trial-and-errorDirect methods v. Indirect methods

To Meet Our Human Needs

Direct – work at meeting the need and obtaining satisfaction Hard work Realistic goals Evaluate the

situation Cooperate with

others

Indirect Methods – work at reducing the need or relieving the tension and frustration created by the unmet needs. Need is still present, but its intensity decreases

Defense Mechanisms

Provides a method for maintaining self-esteem and relieving discomfort Some use is helpful to cope with certain

situations Some is harmful(unhealthy) if substituted

for more effective ways of dealing with situations

Defense Mechanisms

Rationalization – using reasonable excuse or acceptable explanation for behavior in order to avoid the real reason or true motivation

Projection – placing the blame for one’s own actions or inadequacies on someone else or on circumstances rather than accepting the the responsibility for actions

Defense Mechanisms

Displacement – transferring the feelings about one person to someone else – usually occurs because cannot direct the feelings towards the person who is responsible

Compensation – substitution of one goal for another goal in order to achieve success

Defense Mechanisms

Daydreaming – dreamlike thought process that occurs when a person is awake. Provides means of escape when a person is not satisfied with reality

Repression – The transfer of unacceptable or painful ideas, feelings, and thoughts into the unconscious mind

Defense Mechanisms

Denial – involves disbelief of an event or idea that is too frightening or shocking for a person to cope with

Withdrawal – Cease to communicate Remove themselves physically from a

situation

Defense Mechanisms

Minimization – trivializing significance on one’s behavior

Regression – resorting to earlier stage of life

Defense Mechanisms

Reaction-formation – Act opposite to how you feel

Intellectualization – use of academic-type explanation to separate personal feelings from painful event

Stress Reactions

Stress reactions develop when defense mechanisms are inadequate Chronic complaining and demanding behavior Agitation with manipulative behavior Restlessness Sleeplessness Depression-be alert for potential suicide Withdrawal

To Meet the Needs of Others

Personalized healthcare focuses on the patient and meeting their needs and expectations

Challenges

Meet the patient’s needs to the best of your ability

Set standards of excellence for yourself