Fundamental Needs in NVC: The Complete List Explained
At the heart of Nonviolent Communication lies a conviction: all human beings share the same fundamental needs. This is what connects us, beyond cultures, generations, and conflicts.
Understanding these needs gives us a key to decode our emotions, behaviors, and those of others. Here's the complete guide to the 9 categories of universal needs.
Table of Contents
- What is a need in NVC?
- The 9 categories of needs
- How to identify your needs
- Needs vs strategies
- Resources to go further
What Is a Need in NVC?
In NVC, a need is a universal life energy that motivates us to act. Needs are:
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Characteristics of needs: Universal : shared by all humans Abstract : not linked to a person, place, or time Positive : oriented toward what we want (not what we want to avoid) Neutral : neither good nor bad, simply vital
When our needs are met, we feel pleasant emotions (joy, serenity, gratitude). When they're not, we feel unpleasant emotions (sadness, frustration, fear).
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The 9 Categories of Needs
1. CONNECTION Needs
Connection is our need for bonds with others and ourselves.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Love | Deep affection, attachment |
| Belonging | Being part of a group, community |
| Acceptance | Being welcomed as we are |
| Intimacy | Emotional closeness, deep sharing |
| Empathy | Being understood in one's experience |
| Respect | Being considered in one's dignity |
| Trust | Being able to count on others |
| Support | Receiving help when needed |
Exemple de dialogue
When the connection need expresses itself: "I feel lonely" → Need for belonging, companionship "You never listen to me" → Need for attention, empathy
2. PHYSICAL WELL-BEING Needs
Our body has fundamental needs to function.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Food | Healthy and sufficient nutrition |
| Water | Hydration |
| Rest | Sleep, recovery |
| Shelter | Protection, housing |
| Movement | Exercise, physical activity |
| Physical contact | Touch, hugs |
| Physical safety | Protection from danger |
| Comfort | Pleasant living conditions |
3. AUTONOMY Needs
Autonomy concerns our ability to direct our own life.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Freedom | Making one's own choices |
| Independence | Not depending on others |
| Space | Having one's territory, privacy |
| Choice | Having options, deciding |
| Spontaneity | Acting impulsively sometimes |
Attention
Watch out for confusion: "I need you to leave me alone" is not a need - it's a strategy. The need might be: space, autonomy, rest.
4. MEANING and TRANSCENDENCE Needs
We need to feel our life has meaning.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Finding significance in life |
| Contribution | Bringing something to others |
| Purpose | Having direction, goals |
| Hope | Believing in a better future |
| Celebration | Marking important moments |
| Mourning | Honoring what we've lost |
| Spirituality | Connection to something greater |
5. EXPRESSION and CREATIVITY Needs
We need to express ourselves and create.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Expression | Communicating what we experience |
| Creativity | Producing something new |
| Authenticity | Being true, being oneself |
| Play | Having fun, doing for pleasure |
| Humor | Laughing, lightness |
6. RECOGNITION Needs
We need to be seen and valued.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Recognition | Having efforts appreciated |
| Competence | Feeling capable |
| Contribution | Knowing we bring something |
| Consideration | Being taken into account |
| Appreciation | Receiving gratitude |
7. ORDER and PREDICTABILITY Needs
Our brain needs structure to feel safe.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Order | Organized environment |
| Predictability | Knowing what to expect |
| Clarity | Understanding situations |
| Coherence | Logic, sense |
| Stability | Continuity, reliability |
| Fairness | Justice, equal treatment |
8. INTEGRITY Needs
Integrity concerns alignment with our values.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Integrity | Acting according to values |
| Authenticity | Being true to oneself |
| Self-esteem | Respecting oneself |
| Growth | Evolving, improving |
| Coherence | Thought/action alignment |
9. STIMULATION Needs
Our brain needs novelty and challenge.
| Need | Description |
|---|---|
| Stimulation | Activation, dynamism |
| Challenge | Difficulties to overcome |
| Learning | Acquiring knowledge |
| Discovery | Exploring the new |
| Variety | Change, diversity |
How to Identify Your Needs
Method 1: Start from the Feeling
When you feel a strong emotion, ask yourself:
- If pleasant: "What need is being met?"
- If unpleasant: "What need isn't being met?"
Exercice pratique
Quick exercise: Think of a recent situation where you felt frustration Name the precise feeling (annoyed? disappointed? discouraged?) Consult the needs list: which one resonates? Check: "Yes, that's what I needed"
Method 2: The "Why" Test
When you have a request in mind, ask "why" until you reach the need.
Exemple de dialogue
Example: I want my colleague to respond faster to my emails Why? To move forward on my project Why is that important? To meet my deadlines Why is that important? To feel efficient and reliable Needs : efficiency, reliability, peace of mind
Method 3: The Body Speaks
Some needs manifest physically before becoming conscious.
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Body signals → Possible needs: Shoulder tension → Rest, relaxation Tight throat → Expression, being heard Knotted stomach → Security, clarity Chronic fatigue → Rest, meaning, support
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Needs vs Strategies
Important
The most common confusion in NVC: Need : universal, abstract, independent of any person Strategy : specific way to meet a need The same need can be met by dozens of different strategies!
| What we say (strategy) | Underlying need |
|---|---|
| "I need you to clean up" | Order, harmony |
| "I need this job" | Security, recognition |
| "I need you to listen" | Empathy, connection |
| "I need a vacation" | Rest, freedom |
When we stay at the need level, we open up possibilities. When we lock into a strategy, the conflict becomes unsolvable.
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Resources to Go Further
On CNV Academy
Recommended Reading
- Marshall Rosenberg, Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life
- Marshall Rosenberg, Living Nonviolent Communication
- Manfred Max-Neef, Human Scale Development (on fundamental needs)
Key Takeaways
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Needs in NVC: Are universal : we all share them Are the source of our feelings Remain abstract : not linked to a strategy Are the key to mutual understanding Understanding your needs and those of others opens the way to creative solutions that satisfy everyone.
What need resonates most strongly in you right now?