Maslow’s pyramid is well known to hierarchize our needs. His idea is that we first need food and water, once those needs are met we will look for shelter and once we have a shelter we are interested in relationships, etc.
However, a recent study with people aged from 9 to 80 years old and led by Barbara Goebel and Dolorès Brown revealed that the most important need is the one for belonging, for connection. That’s also pointed out in an experiment where newborns where nourished and cleaned but didn’t receive any signs of affection. The babies, even though physicologically healthy, died. It clearly shows that affeciton is vital.
Instead of the pyramid of needs, psychologists now propose a circle of needs with affection and connection in the middle. Their idea is that the 5 human needs should be met at the same time and balanced but not necessarily hierarchized.
Why not Happy 