What is satisfying about satisfying events? Testing 10 candidate psychological needs

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse
08:39

Operant Sensation Seeking in the Mouse

Published on: November 10, 2010

K M Sheldon1, A J Elliot, Y Kim

  • 1Department of Psychology, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA. sheldonk@missouri.edu

Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|February 28, 2001
PubMed

More Related Videos

Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations09:07

Experimental Research Examining How People Can Cope with Uncertainty Through Soft Haptic Sensations

Published on: September 16, 2015

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal06:45

Task Interruption and Resumption Paradigm for Testing the Activation and Pursuit of an Abstract Thinking Goal

Published on: April 18, 2017

Related Concept Videos

Maslow's Theory of Basic Human Needs01:28

Maslow's Theory of Basic Human Needs

Maslow's hierarchy is described with the help of a pyramidal shape. The most fundamental needs, physiological needs, are at the bottom of the pyramid.
Physiological needs such as hunger, thirst, sex, physical comfort, and survival are at the bottom of the pyramid. These are the components that are necessary to sustain life. Once the first level of needs has been met, the second level arises.
Safety needs include stability and predictability. Protection and freedom from danger are all a part of...
Humanistic Psychology01:24

Humanistic Psychology

Humanistic psychology emerged in the mid-20th century as a response to the deterministic and pessimistic nature of behaviorism and psychoanalysis. While behaviorism focused on observable behaviors influenced by the environment and psychoanalysis delved into unconscious motivations, both theories suggested that human actions lacked free will. In contrast, humanistic psychology offers a perspective that emphasizes the innate potential for goodness and growth within every individual.
This approach...
Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory01:27

Maslow's Need Hierarchy Theory

Abraham Maslow's theory of motivation, introduced in 1943, is widely known as the "Hierarchy of Needs." This theory posits that human needs are arranged in a hierarchical structure, starting with basic survival needs and progressing toward more complex psychological and self-fulfillment desires. The hierarchy is typically a pyramid, and the lower needs must be satisfied to reach the next level.
At the pyramid's base are physiological needs, including food, water, and shelter — essentials for...
Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory01:17

Ryan and Deci's Self-Determination Theory

Self-Determination Theory (SDT), formulated by Richard Ryan and Edward Deci, explains that human motivation is driven by three fundamental psychological needs: autonomy, competence, and relatedness. When these needs are met, individuals experience personal growth, intrinsic motivation, and overall well-being.
Autonomy is the need to feel in control of one's actions and decisions. For example, a student who chooses their research topic is likely to be more engaged and motivated than one who is...
Maslow's Humanistic Approach on Personality01:28

Maslow's Humanistic Approach on Personality

Abraham Maslow, a prominent figure in humanistic psychology, developed a theory centered on self-actualization, which he placed at the top of his hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, self-actualization represents achieving one's full potential and is a rare accomplishment attained by approximately 2% of the population. Maslow identified notable historical figures such as Thomas Jefferson, Mahatma Gandhi, Helen Keller, and Martin Luther King Jr. as examples of self-actualized individuals.
Need for Self-Esteem01:27

Need for Self-Esteem

The human need for self-esteem has long intrigued psychologists, leading to the development of several theories that explore its evolutionary and functional significance. Among the most influential are the sociometer, hierometer, and terror management theories. Each offers a unique perspective on why people strive for self-worth and how it shapes behavior and social interaction.Sociometer TheoryAccording to sociometer theory, self-esteem functions as an internal gauge of social acceptance. It...