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14 Examples of Needs and Wants

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Needs are things that are necessary to a satisfactory life. Wants are specific motivations that are generated by needs. Needs generate wants such that the two are manifestations of the same thing. The following are illustrative examples of needs and wants.
Need
Want
Hydration
Water
Bottled Water
Juice
Soft Drinks
Cold Drinks
Hot Drinks
Diet Soft Drinks
Coffee
Flavored Coffees
Food
Sugar
Vegetables
Meat
Grains
Cheese
Fast Food
Fine Food
Convenience Food
Toaster Oven
Restaurant
Air
Clean Air
Air Purifiers
Environmental Regulations
House Far From Pollution Sources
Temperate Environment
Air Conditioning
Heating
Sleep
Bed
Quiet Environment
Clean Environment
Hotel
Shelter
Apartment
Condominium
Hotel
Clothes
Shoes
Pants
Raincoat
Boots
Socks
Slippers
Safety
Healthcare
Pension
Savings
Investments
Property
Norms
Laws
Civility
Policing Services
Justice System
Security System
Play & Movement
Right to Play
Toys
Wrestling & Play Fighting
Freedom of Movement
Exercise
Sports
Sports Equipment
Public Space
Bicycle
Cycling Roads
Car
Highways
Recreational Facilities
Recess at School
Vacations
Reasonable Work Hours
Weekends
Gym Membership
Exercise Equipment
Belonging & Connectedness
Love
Friendship
Culture
Community
Employment
School
Memberships
Engagement
Involvement
Participation
Family
Shared Experience
Comradery
Emotional Expression
Understanding
Kindness
Esteem
School
Grades
Profession
Awards & Recognition
Degrees & Certifications
Promotions
High Salary
Social Feedback
Social Status
Social Signaling
Countersignaling
Fashion
High Status Brands
High Status Friends
Popularity
Avoidance of Criticism
Saving Face
Justice for Yourself
Confidence
Cognitive Needs
Caffeine
Books
Media
Television
Movies
Entertainment
Conversation
Information
Shared Meaning
Education
Research
Development
Experimentation
Debate
Peer Review
Free Expression
Cultivating Intelligence
Cultivating Talents
Training
Mentors
Aesthetic Needs
Music
Musical Instruments
Night Clubs
Gardening
Art
Performance Art
Access to Nature
Street Fashion
Coolness
Style
Creative Expression
Self-actualization & Transcendence
Ability to Love Unconditionally
Redemption & Forgiveness
Philosophy
Religion
Spirituality
Self-Awareness
Self-Fulfillment
Life Experience
Growth
Freedom & Independence
Risk Taking
Resilience
Stoicism
Adventure
Travel
Mastery
Freedom of Expression
Freedom of Speech
Justice for Others
Humility
Unaffectedness
Education materials that cover needs and wants tend to impose subjective judgements. For example, a test that asks students to classify education as a need and friends as a want. This tends to be misleading and biased whereby students are told that some needs are less important than others where they might just as well decide for themselves.
It can be argued that all things people want stem from some type of need. These range from basic needs of survival up to the highest level of human experience such as a need to understand the universe. Categorizing higher level needs as "wants" is inherently subjective and oriented towards harsh austerity, minimalism and paternalism whereby certain needs are marked as unnecessary.
The needs above are loosely based on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. People may have needs that aren't on the list above. Likewise, people may not feel that they need all the needs listed. For example, transcendence typically involves letting go of lower needs.

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