Human Needs Blueprint™ and Need-Protection Theory: A Dynamic 25-Need Systems Model of Human Functioning, Threat, Protection and Wellbeing
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: The Human Needs Blueprint™ and Need-Protection Theory proposes a dynamic, non-diagnostic model of human functioning based on 25 psychologically meaningful human-need constructs. The framework begins from a one-species principle: people are not first categorised by diagnosis, neurotype or behavioural presentation. Instead, each individual is understood through their own changing configuration of need importance or requirement, current access, discrepancy, capacity, context, threat sensitivity and protective response. The paper distinguishes closely related constructs including Autonomy, Agency and Authorship; Esteem, Recognition, Significance and Dignity; and proposes that human needs operate as an interacting system rather than as isolated variables or a fixed hierarchy. Seven provisional interaction mechanisms are described: Access Dependency, Need Dominance/Crowding, Need Synergy/Cascading Access, Dynamic Reconfiguration, Need Displacement/Constrained Expression, Satisfier Transformation and Asynchronous Need Functioning. The model also distinguishes human needs from accommodations and satisfiers, and proposes that visible functioning or achievement in one area should not be assumed to demonstrate whole-system wellbeing. The framework was developed iteratively through lived experience, caregiving, fostering, naturalistic observation, assessment development and applied framework construction. It is presented as a developing, non-peer-reviewed theoretical model intended for independent empirical investigation rather than as a validated universal taxonomy. This paper provides the theoretical foundation underlying later applied work including HNEPT™, while the proprietary assessment items, scoring architecture, formulas, weighting, interpretation rules and implementation systems are not disclosed in this publication.
Author: Cook, Danielle Mary
Language: English
Subfield: Applied Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7212255260
FWCI:
Cites:
Cited by:
Related to: