ABSTRACT
The need to belong refers to the strong, pervasive, and universal human motive to develop lasting, positive, and significant relationships with other people. This motive evolved through natural selection because our hominid ancestors who were motivated to establish and maintain connections with others were more likely to survive and reproduce than those who did not make efforts to be accepted and maintain social connections. As a result of the need to belong, people often behave in ways that increase the likelihood that they will be socially accepted, and lower the likelihood that they will be rejected. For example, people may try to increase their relational value to other people by achieving goals and being successful, conforming to social norms, being a good social exchange partner, being liked, and being physically attractive. Indeed, people are rarely indifferent to the possibility of being rejected. Depending on the circumstances, concerns about rejection can result in several emotions, including hurt feelings, social anxiety, jealousy, embarrassment, guilt, and shame. Although every normal person is motivated to be accepted and to belong, people differ in the strength of their need to belong.
