The Four Primal Human Desires
I’ve always wondered why some people make the choices they do, especially when they seem baffling to me. Then I remember, they’re probably thinking the same about my choices. 😆
Still, I was deeply curious, and through studying personality, I’ve come to realize that we’re all wired differently. At the core, there are four psychological needs that guide our lives: Variety, Certainty, Belonging, and Significance.
Each of us will be dominantly influenced by two out of four of these needs, whether we’re aware of it or not. Once I started looking at life through this lens, the choices people make (including my own) began to make a lot more sense.
These psychological needs are part of the six human needs that Tony Robbins describes. In Personality Ninja, they’re called the "Four Primal Human Desires," each connected to a Personality Class and specific Cognitive Functions.
Here’s a quick overview of the categorization:
- Variety - Explorers (Se & Ne)
- Certainty - Builders (Si & Ni)
- Belonging - Leaders (Te & Fe)
- Significance - Evolvers (Ti & Fi)
Let’s take a deep dive into each category!
1. The Desire for Variety – Explorer
Have you ever noticed people who love spontaneity and crave new experiences? They are driven by a desire for variety. The "Explorer" Class embodies this need. Explorers thrive on change, novelty, and diversity in their lives. They see routines as limitations and prefer to explore new horizons, ideas, or possibilities.
For example, an Explorer might impulsively book a flight to a new country or pick up a random hobby, like rock climbing or painting. In Personality Ninja, this desire for variety is associated with the cognitive functions Extraverted Sensing (Se) and Extraverted Intuition (Ne).
The term "Explorers" does not refer to those trekking through jungles or searching for treasure; it’s about the spirit of discovery—whether that’s in a new city or an entirely new concept.
2. The Desire for Certainty – Builder
At the other end of the spectrum, some people seek stability and predictability. Known as Builders, they thrive when they can depend on certain structures or routines. Builders feel most secure when their lives are stable.
Builders are good planners who prefer purposeful change. They might create daily schedules or plan for long-term goals, like saving for retirement, to ensure their future is secure. This desire for certainty is tied to the cognitive functions Introverted Sensing (Si) and Introverted Intuition (Ni).
The term "Builder" reflects the idea of constructing something strong. Think of it as laying down a solid foundation to build a steady house that promises safety and security.
*Think of Explorers vs Builders like hunter gatherers vs farmers. Explorers like to venture out to gather new resources, while Builders are like farmers who patiently grow their crops.
3. The Desire for Belonging – Leader
Those who prioritize belonging are known as Leaders. Leaders focus on building relationships and fostering community. They thrive in roles that allow them to bring people together, creating a shared sense of purpose and unity.
Leaders often make decisions based on collective needs and group harmony. This desire leads them to engage in community service or organize team-building activities at work, ensuring everyone feels included. In the world of cognitive functions, this desire for belonging aligns with Extraverted Thinking (Te) and Extraverted Feeling (Fe).
The term "Leaders," is not talking about bosses or team heads. NXT Leaders can be followers too. The essence is that they care about what others think as that would help them secure their belonging in the group.
4. The Desire for Significance – Evolver
Finally, there are those who crave significance. Known as Evolvers, these individuals desire to be meaningful and valued in a unique way. Evolvers often look for ways to contribute something important to the world. Their drive isn’t about fitting in or being part of a group; it’s about making a distinct impact and finding personal fulfillment.
Evolvers might engage in personal projects like writing or arts, and care deeply about their personal progress or well-being. Evolvers are linked to the cognitive functions Introverted Thinking (Ti) and Introverted Feeling (Fi).
The term "Evolver" captures the essence of growth. They are constantly pushing themselves to improve, striving to stand out in a way that feels authentic and special to them.
*As an anecdote, you can often tell Leaders from Evolvers by their language: Leaders would share stories about others even if you ask about their own lives, while Evolvers relate stories back to their own experiences even if you're talking about other people.
What makes this model fascinating is how it links cognitive functions to these primal desires. For instance, people with a desire for Belonging—whether they lead with Te or Fe—share a common drive to be part of a collective, even if they approach it differently. Similarly, those with a drive for Certainty (Si and Ni) prioritize stability and predictability in their lives, though Si is often more practical and Ni more visionary.
This perspective adds a fresh way to understand personality. By looking at these four primal desires, I’ve found it easier to understand what drives both myself and those around me, which explains why we approach things differently. If you’re curious about what motivates your loved ones (or yourself), exploring these core desires is a great place to start!