How Unmet Psychological Needs Quietly Undermine Democracy

Summary: Have you ever felt like the world is falling apart when you watch the news? Democracy asks a lot of us. It asks us to get along with people who think differently. But we can't do that if our brains are stressed out.

Psychologists say humans have six basic needs: safety, belonging, having a choice, feeling capable, getting respect, and finding meaning.

When we don't get these needs met, we feel scared, ignored, or humiliated. That's when people might join extreme groups, fight in online comment sections, or just give up on voting. To keep our country strong, we need to make sure people feel safe and respected in everyday life—at school, at work, and online.

For more details, see Psychology Today at psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/restoring-the-equilibrium/202604/how-unmet-psychological-needs-quietly-undermine-democracy (opens in new tab)