The Pleasant Feeling of Belonging to a Group

We are the loneliest society in human history. In recent years, we have begun to retire to our own homes, to immerse ourselves in our phones, and, in general, to spend more time connected to some devices than to each other.

And this reorientation is not without consequences for some beings built to be social: the lack of human contact has consequences on psycho-emotional and behavioral development.

According to the human needs pyramid, developed in 1943 by Abraham Maslow (American humanistic psychologist), the need for belonging is on the third, central step of the five. This level includes the need for friendship, family, affection, belonging to a group.

The need to belong is, therefore, recognized as a deeply human need.

The feeling of belonging is an experience common to all people. This is what we have been looking for since we were little, to be seen, heard, felt. Interacting with other people makes us see the value of life and appreciate it, helps us see that we are not the only ones facing problems, prepares us to manage painful emotions.

Some researchers have agreed that our need to belong may be of evolutionary origin. It seems that throughout history, people who have managed to develop strong group relationships have had a higher survival rate.

This has also been confirmed by recent research: belonging to a group can make us happier and can act as a shock absorber in the way we see and manage issues related to our physical and emotional integrity.

This is clear from research by Bolger, Zuckerman, and Kessler. When people feel that they have social support, that they have that "safety net" of close people, they recover more quickly from trauma or illness, and they feel encouraged to adopt healthier or healthier lifestyles.

Belonging, role in emotional health

Belonging to a group increases the motivation to overcome obstacles and the current condition, strengthens the immune system and the extent to which we feel happy.

When you see yourself in touch with others, you realize that you are not alone and that you have a role and a place in the world. And that thought can be extremely comforting.

Forming connections and developing a sense of belonging to a group, whether co-workers, friends, neighbors, contribute to our well-being. This is because when we belong to a group, it means that we have identified things in common with other people, a common mission that makes us feel that we have a purpose.

Personal resilience or one's mental strength was intertwined with the resilience of the group to which we belong. From the connections we create with other people, we often extract the strength to move on. There is also a popular saying in this regard: we are the sum of the closest five people in our lives.

Another study showed that we are sensitive to the simplest gesture of exclusion: exclusion erodes us, undermines our well-being and self-confidence, affects IQ and self-control. Man has always sought to be a part of something greater than himself.

And the group meets exactly this need, it brings people together, when one of them gets tired, another is ready to take over.

Why is it nice to belong?

Most of the time, when we are part of a certain group, we tend to attribute only positive characteristics to it. The thought of "my group is the best", "those around me are wonderful people", "we dedicate ourselves to the really important things" is common and thus makes us see the world as a whole better. . So, there is a positive change in cognition, in perception.

When we are part of a group, we tend to see and look for similarities with them, stop looking for differences, or differentiate ourselves.

The group develops our sense of solidarity. Solidarity is the psychological connection that binds us to the members of a group and develops our commitment to them. We feel that social responsibility is to devote time and attention to the needs of members and the group.

The centrality of the group refers to the fact that we become sensitive to the problems of the group. Whether these problems have their internal or external source. The needs of the group are put above the individual needs. There are many examples throughout history in which people have been able to even sacrifice themselves on behalf of the group to which they belonged.

Our mental health and well-being are closely linked to the quality of the relationships we develop. Our fondest memories are with and about people. Maybe the group we're in brings out the best in us.

The others give us something we can't afford: validation. Validation is the confirmation that my inner experience is real and understandable, that my reactions are natural and human.

The need to belong determines people to join, to form communities, to associate in organizations. People compliment each other and build each other in the presence of others. Despite all the technological development, humanity is still in search of love, meaning, and connection.

And there's nothing wrong with that.