need

Definition:
Any physical or emotional body requirement, a lack of something useful required, or a desire for any reason. A need is something fundamental to the maintenance of life, such as food, drink, shelter and clothing. Needs are largely physiological in the sense that they are basic and instinctive drives with which we are born. It is clear, however, that a need may be satisfied by any one of a large number of alternatives, for example thirst may be assuaged by water, tea, coffee, beer, wine, and so on. The availability of alternative means of satisfying a need constitutes choice, provision of which is central to the practice of marketing. In the absence of substitute, or alternative, goods there can be no choice, and needs and wants become synonymous. Where there is more than one way of satisfying a basic need, physiological drives will be modified by economic, sociological and psychological factors. Variations in these factors will predispose individuals to prefer a specific alternative and this preference constitutes a want.

Cross-References:
[motivation]

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