Project Framework: “What Do We Need? A Look at the Physical and Psychological Needs of Humans”

Section 1: Project Overview

1.1 Project Title

What Do We Need? A Look at the Physical and Psychological Needs of Humans

1.2 Project Aim

To empirically investigate and compare the physical and psychological needs of humans across demographic, cultural, and contextual variables, using data-driven methodologies grounded in established and emerging psychological theories.

1.3 Objectives

  • To conceptualise and operationalise human needs based on multiple theoretical models.
  • To collect and analyse data on the extent to which human needs are met or unmet.
  • To explore associations between unmet needs and indicators of well-being, health, and functioning.
  • To inform policy, social programmes, and human development frameworks through actionable insights.

Section 2: Key Research Questions and Hypotheses

2.1 Primary Research Questions

  1. What are the core physical and psychological needs of humans as measured across different theoretical models?
  2. How are these needs met or unmet in different populations (e.g. by country, socioeconomic status, age group)?
  3. What is the relationship between need fulfilment and subjective well-being, physical health, and social integration?
  4. How do contextual factors (e.g. culture, conflict, digital ecosystems) moderate or mediate the satisfaction of needs?

2.2 Hypotheses (Illustrative Examples)

  • H1: Individuals with higher psychological need satisfaction (autonomy, competence, relatedness) will report higher levels of life satisfaction.
  • H2: Physical need deprivation (e.g. poor nutrition, lack of sleep) is positively associated with psychological distress.
  • H3: Cultural values (e.g. collectivism vs individualism) moderate the importance and framing of psychological needs.

Section 3: Conceptual and Theoretical Frameworks

3.1 Theoretical Foundations

The project draws from the following integrated perspectives:

  • Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (1943, revised variants)
  • Self-Determination Theory (SDT) – Deci & Ryan
  • Max-Neef’s Fundamental Human Needs Model
  • Biopsychosocial Model – integrating biological, psychological, and social systems
  • UNDP’s Human Development Approach (linked to capabilities)
  • Basic Psychological Needs Theory (a sub-theory of SDT)

3.2 Integrated Conceptual Framework

A two-domain model of human needs: - Physical Needs Domain: nutrition, shelter, health, rest, safety - Psychological Needs Domain: autonomy, competence, relatedness, meaning/purpose, self-worth

Each construct will be measurable via validated instruments and informed by the relevant theoretical literature.

Section 4: Operationalisation of Constructs

4.1 Physical Needs (Sample Constructs and Measures)

Need Sample Indicator Measurement Tool/Item Example
Nutrition Food security, caloric intake FAO Food Insecurity Experience Scale
Shelter Housing stability, privacy, sanitation Living Conditions Survey
Health Access to healthcare, illness load Self-rated health; chronic illness checklist
Sleep Sleep duration and quality Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)
Safety Perceived and actual threats “I feel safe in my neighbourhood” (Likert item)

4.2 Psychological Needs (Sample Constructs and Measures)

Need Sample Indicator Measurement Tool/Item Example
Autonomy Sense of volition and choice Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction Scale (BPNSFS)
Competence Self-efficacy, mastery General Self-Efficacy Scale; BPNSFS
Relatedness Social support, belonging UCLA Loneliness Scale; Multidimensional Support Scale
Meaning/Purpose Life purpose, existential fulfilment Purpose in Life Test (PIL); Meaning in Life Questionnaire
Self-Worth Positive self-regard, esteem Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale

Section 5: Data Strategy

5.1 Data Sources

  • Primary Data Collection:
  • Online and in-person surveys
  • Experience sampling method (ESM); ecological momentary assessment (EMA)
  • Structured interviews and focus groups (for mixed-methods)
  • Secondary Data:
  • World Values Survey
  • Gallup World Poll
  • WHO, UNDP, IHME health and development datasets
  • Academic archives (e.g., qualitative need assessments)
  • Digital Data:
  • Social media sentiment and language analysis
  • Wearable data for health and sleep
  • App-based behavioural data (mobility, online activity)

5.2 Sampling Strategy

  • Basic Version: Convenience and purposive sampling for pilot testing, e.g. university samples, local community panels.
  • Extended Version: Stratified random sampling within and across countries; multi-level sampling to account for nested data (individuals within cultures/regions).

5.3 Variables

  • Independent variables: level of need satisfaction (by construct)
  • Dependent variables: subjective well-being, psychological distress, physical health, social participation
  • Moderators: cultural values (e.g., Hofstede dimensions), SES, digital media use
  • Mediators: psychological resilience, coping strategies

Section 6: Methodology

6.1 Study Design Options

  • Cross-Sectional: snapshot comparisons across groups or regions
  • Longitudinal: need satisfaction and outcomes over time (monthly assessments over 1 year)
  • Comparative/Cultural: assessing cultural universals vs culturally specific needs
  • Experimental Vignettes (for psychological needs): manipulate scenarios to assess need salience, e.g., autonomy-supportive vs controlling environments

6.2 Mixed-Methods Component (Optional but Valuable)

  • Quantitative core + qualitative explanatory strand
  • Focus groups to explore how needs are culturally interpreted
  • Narrative diaries or life story interviews to contextualise unmet needs

Section 7: Measurement Tools and Instruments

7.1 Tools by Domain

Physical Needs Tools

  • FAO Food Security Survey Module
  • Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (WHO)
  • Sleep Condition Indicator

Psychological Needs Tools

  • Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSFS)
  • Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale
  • Meaning in Life Questionnaire (Steger et al.)
  • WHOQOL-BREF for overall quality of life and domain-specific needs

7.2 Validity & Reliability

  • Prioritise scales with established:
  • Internal consistency (Cronbach’s α > .70)
  • Construct and convergent validity
  • Cross-cultural adaptability (translated and back-translated)
  • Pilot testing and cognitive interviews to ensure linguistic and cultural relevance

Section 8: Data Analysis Plan

8.1 Descriptive Analyses

  • Frequency distributions of need satisfaction levels
  • Cross-tabulations of demographic and need data

8.2 Inferential Statistics

  • Correlation and regression models (e.g., need satisfaction → well-being)
  • Group comparisons (e.g., ANOVA by country, gender, SES)

8.3 Advanced/Machine Learning Approaches

  • Latent Class Analysis (LCA) to identify need-based population typologies
  • Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) to test mediation/moderation models
  • NLP and text mining for open-ended responses or social media data
  • Random forest or gradient boosting for need-prediction based on demographics or digital behaviour

Section 9: Ethical Considerations

  • Informed Consent: clarity about purpose, anonymisation, data use
  • Privacy Protection: GDPR-compliant storage; minimal personally identifiable information
  • Psychological Harm: Implement referral information and distress protocols when assessing sensitive topics (e.g., deprivation, trauma)
  • Cultural Respect: Engage community stakeholders in design; account for indigenous needs models
  • Platform Ethics (for digital data): Use public data only; respect TOS of social platforms

Section 10: Outputs and Applications

10.1 Practical Outputs

  • Interactive dashboard visualising cross-regional need profiles
  • Country- or region-specific “Need Maps”
  • Reports and policy briefs focused on:
  • Education systems (psychological needs in schools)
  • Health policy (intersection of physical and psychological health)
  • Urban design (spaces for safety, relatedness, rest)
  • Intervention toolkits co-designed with practitioners

10.2 Theoretical Contributions

  • Recommendation of a revised or hybrid model of needs based on empirical data
  • Culturally sensitive extensions to dominant Western-centric models

Section 11: Limitations and Mitigation Strategies

Limitation Potential Impact Mitigation Strategy
Cultural bias in instruments Misinterpretation or irrelevance Cultural adaptation protocols; include local experts
Self-report bias Over/under-reporting of needs or well-being Triangulate self-report with behavioural or biometric
Sampling limitations Non-representative findings Weighted samples; sensitivity analyses
Data protection risks Confidentiality breach Anonymisation; secure cloud storage; ethical approval
Conceptual proliferation Model inconsistency Use a unified integrated framework with modular components

Section 12: Project Modularity

Project Scope Features
Student Project Pilot survey using BPNSFS and WHOQOL-BREF; n = 100; basic regression
NGO Initiative Multi-country cross-sectional survey on unmet needs; needs dashboard
Large-Scale Study Panel study over 3 years; integrated with census or health surveys
Digital Variant App-based assessment of momentary need fulfilment via EMA and wearables

Section 13: Concluding Notes for Implementation

  • Begin with scoping review to tailor framework to local or applied contexts.
  • Identify partnerships (academic, policy, NGO, technology) early.
  • Use iterative piloting to refine tools for different groups.
  • Produce both academic and practice-oriented outputs.
  • Build open-access repositories for instruments, code, and anonymised data to foster replication.

This structured framework allows for flexible adaptation while preserving critical academic and ethical rigour. It is suited for multi-phase projects examining what humans need—physically, psychologically, and socially—to thrive.