Want and Need what do we do more of?


So I have been thinking the last couple if days about want and need in reference to architecture as well as in terms of relation to other human beings. I was wondering if the two are the same or if they are different. Could we survive with out a companion or do we tell ourselves we need one? Or do we want one? Could we survive without architecture or do we tell ourselves we need it? Or want it? How does this apply to the individual? I need to express myself on a regular basis and I want to do this through the means of a companion and through the means of architecture.... or do I really want to? Does my personality direct me to this conclusion or are there other influences? Who tells me what I need or what I want. More over who decides these two things? And who validates them? You, me, the masses, who?