Sociology Plus
Consensual View of Need Definition
The consensual view of need refers to a shared societal understanding of what is required to achieve and sustain a minimum standard of living, which is determined not by mere subsistence but by prevailing social norms. This concept posits that the definition of necessity is socially constructed rather than purely biological or individual.
Origins in Research
This perspective was operationalised through the research conducted by Mack and Lansley for their 1985 work, Poor Britain. In this study, they sought to establish a consensus on what constituted necessities by surveying a representative sample of 1,174 respondents. They asked participants to classify various goods and services as either “essential” or “luxuries,” successfully identifying a high degree of agreement regarding items considered necessities within the community.
Application to Poverty
The list of necessities established through this consensus formed the foundation for Mack and Lansley’s definition of poverty. According to their framework, an individual was deemed to be experiencing poverty if they were systematically deprived of three or more items from this agreed-upon list. This criterion was applied after excluding certain items, specifically public transportation, a yard, and a television, ensuring the focus remained on core living requirements necessary for reaching the minimum standard of living agreed upon by the majority of the sample.