ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the cast of published definitions about sense of belonging. It provides some of the information to articulate why sense of belonging is important. The chapter also reviews the extant literature, largely from education, that addresses sense of belonging among students in learning contexts. An extensive review of the literature on sense of belonging led in a number of directions. Despite the growing body of literature that speaks to college students' sense of belonging, there is relatively limited understanding of its malleable character and the complex interaction of forces that give rise to it. A fair amount of research has shown that sense of belonging is also associated with numerous positive, prosocial, and productive outcomes in specific domains such as education. Research also has documented that needs are domain- and situation-specific. Early research on belonging suggested its importance as a basic human need and motivation for behavior.
