Affiliation Motivational System

Abstract

In this chapter, the concept of affiliation is presented as a general human disposition and basic motivation. The wide range of affiliative motives is analysed in the realms of interpersonal and group dynamics. Needs on the interpersonal level include attachment, intimacy and love, while the group dynamic is analysed in terms of in-group and inter-group relations. It is argued that all needs in the realm of interpersonal and group relations are interrelated and imply the existence of the larger underlying belonging motivation. Furthermore, the chapter also postulates that the conceptualisation of the human need for belonging should also include the need for distance and, in this way, should articulate affiliation as a two-way balancing process between the opposing needs