Definition
6 human needs is a coaching taxonomy — certainty, variety/uncertainty, significance, love/connection, growth, contribution — used to name what a behaviour is buying. Treat as a lens, not a validated scientific scale.
Origin
Popularised in coaching (notably Tony Robbins’ framing), the six-need map helps operators label exits and addictions. The scientific neighbour is basic psychological needs and goal systems (Ryan & Deci, 2000; Deci & Ryan, 2000) — fewer needs, stronger evidence.
Mechanism
When motivation stops, ask which need was unpaid. Certainty vs variety often trade off inside the same week; significance can hijack publish fear; contribution can fuel Zone of Genius. The map is diagnostic language for The Words We Use to Define a Need.
Applications
- Exit log: “I left the stretch for variety / certainty / significance.”
- Offer design: which need does the client buy?
- SPOF: which need tempts sabotage of the deterministic link?
Sources
Cite
- Ericsson, K. A., Krampe, R. T., & Tesch-Römer, C. (1993). The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance. Psychological Review, 100(3), 363–406.
- Kruglanski, A. W., Shah, J. Y., Fishbach, A., Friedman, R., Chun, W. Y., & Sleeth-Keppler, D. (2002). A theory of goal systems. In Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 34, 331–378.
Related doctrine
Certainty vs uncertainty needs
The Words We Use to Define a Need
Ikigai