Any individual is faced with numerous conflicts in needs, both at a conscious level and at a social level. There is a need for security as well as a need for independence or a need for withdrawal might well conflict with a busy work schedule or social calendar. In fact there are almost never just 2 conflicting needs, one would generally have several conflicting needs at the conscious a social level all operating simultaneously.
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs is simplistic and is often presented as though a need is satisfied and then one moves to the next level of need. This is not a practical representation – all needs are present simultaneously and one seeks to satisfy them simultaneously, although their priority may be described by his theory. An overriding need which is often missed is the need to be creative, to express oneself in whatever form. This need underlies the need for recognition.
There needs to be trade-offs or some effort to balance all these needs. Integration of the needs might require some prioritization, but ultimately each need would have to be recognized at some stage and deferred to. Many of these needs have a psychological basis and are determined by life scripts (beliefs) which may arise in earliest infancy.
Here one’s tendency to see oneself as a victim of circumstances is a case in point. As a young baby one is indeed helpless and dependant on the goodwill of others. This situation lasts for long enough for it to become a mindset and a habitual view of events which can last for the individual’s whole life, unless the individual recognizes the origins and takes conscious steps to correct this attitude.
There is a psychotherapist who has had great success with treating individuals who have undergone traumatic experiences.
(This article is scheduled for to be continued)
