What Needs Tell Us about User Experience

The present study explores the sources and consequences of fulfilling six fundamental human needs, namely Autonomy , Relatedness , Competence, Stimulation, Influence , and Security, through using interactive products and media. Each need refers to a distinct set of issues, such as according product attributes (e.g., "flexibility") and experiential consequences (e.g., "freedom of choice"). Besides the need-specific content, which helps to characterize and differentiate user experiences, the study reveals the close relation between needs and according product attributes as their mirror images.