Reality theory identifies four psychological needs that drive us. Which are they?

• A. Security
• B. Attention
• C. Satisfaction
• D. Belonging, Power, Freedom, and Fun

Answer: (D)

Reality therapy holds that people are driven by needs, including four psychological needs: belonging, power, freedom, and fun. The fifth basic need is survival, which covers physical needs like food, shelter, and safety and isn’t categorized as a psychological drive. So the four psychological needs listed are Belonging (love and connection with others), Power (achievement and influence), Freedom (autonomy and choice), and Fun (enjoyment and play). These needs shape how we choose behaviors as we try to meet them; when our actions or relationships fail to satisfy these needs, problems can arise, and a therapist helps the client find better ways to meet them. The other options don’t capture this set of four defined psychological needs, since they either refer to a physical/unequal concept (security), a vague term (satisfaction), or an item that isn’t one of the four core needs.