The second leading idea of Erich Form is the existence of existential needs in human structures. It distinguishes five existential needs:The need to establish relationships - in order to overcome the sense of isolation, a person needs to be involved in something, to take responsibility for something, to take care of someone. Otherwise (if this need is not met) people become narcissistic.
The need to overcome the "passive animal nature", i. to become active, to rise above chance. The optimal result of this need is the ability to "build". If the instinct for destruction does not appear to a great extent. The need for "root" - it has existed since birth. One feels the need for fundamentals, a sense of stability and resilience, and a sense of safety provided by parents in childhood. The need for self-identity - from what you are, who you are, etc. Thus one understands your identity. For if there is no consciousness of its essence, one would live in a string of events dictated not by him, but by the outside. Then man breaks down as an individual world.
Need for worldview and devotion. People will always need to have a stable foothold for explaining the world. This explanation system is a set of beliefs. But that is not enough - it is also necessary to have an object of devotion, to someone to devote to. Devotion is not subordination, it is an instrument.A third major theme in Erich Form's work is that of the social typology of human nature. Freud, thinks that there is a need in man, but Marx, like Marx, thinks these needs are depending on the situation.Form distinguishes two forms of social character: unproductive and productive. To non-productive he refers:Receptive - these are people who are convinced that everything good in life is outside of them - they are passive, unproductive without help and intervention. Receptive character has people who are meant to become pets instead of loving.
Exploiting types - they take everything they need or dream about (with force or ingenuity). There is something positive here and it is that these people are confident.Accumulating type - these are people seeking money - desire for as much wealth as possible (money, love, etc.). Unlike the previous types of characters, these are people who live with the past and are frightened by the new, the unknown. But they are also prudent (which is their positive characteristic). Market type - the person is valued as a commodity. These are people striving to realize at all costs (this is the most common type of character). "I am what you want to see me." From these people call "opportunists". In them the purpose justifies the means. These are also open and curious people, aiming at getting to know the environment in which they want to be realized (positive aspect).