"A higher level of meaning in life is linked to a higher level of psychological well-being and physical health." Explain how Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs supported this research finding in terms of the four main needs for meaning that guide how people try to make sense of their lives.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

According to Roy Baumeister and Kathleen Vohs, there are four main needs for meaning that guide how people try to make sense of their lives.

Need for purpose: This need focuses on present events drawing meaning from their connection with future events. Purposes can be divided into (1) goals and (2) fulfillments. Life can be oriented toward a future anticipated state, such as living happily ever after or being in love.

Need for values: This need focuses on lending a sense of goodness or positive characterization of life and justifying certain courses of action. Values enable people to decide whether certain acts are right or wrong.

Need for a sense of efficacy: This need involves the "belief that one can make a difference. A life that had purposes and values but no efficacy would be tragic. The person might know what is desirable but could not do anything with that knowledge." With a sense of efficacy, people believe that they can control their environment, which has positive physical and mental health benefits.

Need for self-worth: This need focuses on the fact that most individuals want to be "good, worthy persons and that self-worth can be pursued individually."