Needs Vs. Wants
Needs Vs. Wants
Needs (examples)
-
clothing
-
shelter
-
food
-
water
-
toiletries
-
education
-
healthcare
How do you tell the difference between the two?
Wants (examples)
-
smartphones
-
playstations
-
toys
-
CD's
-
TV
-
jewelry
-
vacationing
Needs
Both
-
Things in life you can't live or participate in certain things without
-
Things that make your life much easier, comfortable, and survivable
Wants
-
Both are useful to humans
-
Things in life that you wish for, or desire, but can function without
-
More than what you need (ex: if you need a form of transportation to go to work, a "want" would be an expensive sports car)
However, not everyone has the same needs, or even wants. One's needs can even be someone else's wants.
-
Ex 1) James is on a professional soccer team, and needs a jersey with his team's logo on it. Eric, a student-athlete playing for his middle school soccer team, is a fan of James's soccer team, and wants to buy the same jersey that James has. In this situation, James's need is Eric's want.
-
Ex 2) John works for a tech company and is required to select a specific IT approved/company provided new laptop. William, a scientist wants this computer for his personal research as well as his personal leisure. In this situation, John's need is William's want.