SENSE OF BELONGING: CHARACTERISTICS, IMPORTANCE, EXAMPLES - GEOGRAFÍA - 2025

The sense of belonging is a feeling of identification with a specific group, which can range from a sports team to an institution or a whole society. It is based on the human need for affiliation, described by Maslow as one of the necessary requirements to feel good about ourselves.

The sense of belonging occurs when the person feels that he is part of something bigger than himself and, therefore, recognizes the rest of the members of his reference group as equals. This can have a very positive effect on your self-esteem, and it is especially important for young people.

In many cases, belonging to a group also implies affiliation to an ideology, which is why it is fundamental for the construction of the individual's identity. Therefore, the sense of belonging can lead the person to acquire new values, attitudes, beliefs and ways of acting.

characteristics

The first description of the sense of belonging was given by Maslow, a psychologist of the humanist current who formulated the Theory of human needs. According to this theory and several subsequent studies on the subject, the need to belong to a group is the third most important, only behind physiological needs and safety.

Numerous experiments show the beneficial effects of belonging to a group for a person's mental development, as well as for their well-being and even their health. Lack of belonging to a group can lead to problems such as anxiety or depression in a person.

Since we are born, we are involved in the interaction with other people. Our first reference group is the family, having great importance throughout our childhood. However, later people start to belong to other groups, such as friends or fellow students.

Next we will see some of the most important characteristics of the sense of belonging to a group.

Effect on self-concept

What the people in our group think of us, as well as the way in which they treat us and what they express to us about ourselves, will be key aspects for the formation of our self-concept. That is, the way we see ourselves will be modified by our reference group.

This is especially true for teens and young adults, but it continues throughout our lives.

Exposure to new ideas

When we feel linked to a group, and although its members are very similar, we will always be exposed to new ideas and ways of thinking. So the sense of belonging can lead us to change our values ​​and attitudes, or to try new experiences.

Increase our confidence

Feeling that our ideas and ways of thinking are supported by a group makes us believe much more in ourselves. This becomes especially true if our reference group is an important institution or is made up of people we admire, as we will feel more validated by them.

Rigidity in our behavior

Since our self-esteem is so involved in the sense of belonging to a group, on some occasions we will be unable to see the negative aspects of it or to be contrary to the other members. This, which in general does not have to be a big problem, becomes dangerous in the case of groups such as sects.

However, all groups are rigid about what is considered acceptable behavior and what is not. Therefore, to get the most out of our reference group we have to be able to identify with it while maintaining our individuality as much as possible.

Provides us with a routine

On many occasions, belonging to a group means taking part in certain rituals or actions that are carried out on a regular basis. For example, training with the soccer team every weekend or going out for a beer with friends on Thursday afternoons.

These routines can be a very powerful ally when it comes to building our well-being, since they help us to occupy our time with activities that become important to us. In addition, they also give us a certain security and confidence.

Fountain of resources

Belonging to a group can become an important source of resources, both physical and emotional. In difficult times, having the support of a group or an institution can mean the difference between solving the problem or losing ourselves in our negative emotions.

Importance

As you can see, the sense of belonging to a group causes all kinds of effects (both positive and negative) in people's lives. Therefore, it is necessary to choose carefully the type of group with which we want to feel identified.

Although in general our sense of belonging is determined by chance (when we feel part of groups or institutions such as a country, the city in which we were born or the friends we met in high school), it is necessary to examine what each one is contributing to us of these groups and if it is congruent with the people we want to be.

This is especially important in the case of wanting to achieve our goals, since the support of our reference group is fundamental in this regard. For this reason, feeling part of a group can have very significant effects in all areas of our life. Below we will see some examples to clarify this point.

Examples

friends

Our primary group of friends is one of the most influencing of us. Our way of behaving will be totally different if we have friends who are sporty, ambitious, who spend their time drinking alcohol or who focus on playing video games.

Family

The family is also an important source of norms, ways of acting and beliefs. If we have grown up in a very traditional family, our way of being will change completely compared to that of a person with liberal and progressive parents.

Political or religious groups

Religion and politics are two of the issues that cause the most sense of belonging in most people. Depending on the group with which we identify, a multitude of aspects of our life will change: from our daily behavior to our way of seeing the world.

References

1. "Identity and the feeling of belonging" in: Centro de Psicología Clínica. Retrieved on: April 26, 2018 from the Center for Clinical Psychology: alarconpsicologos.com.
2. "What is the feeling of belonging to the group?" in: Create Health. Retrieved on: April 26, 2018 from Create Health: crearsalud.org.
3. "Sense of Belonging" in: Definition Of. Retrieved on: April 26, 2018 from Definition Of: definicion.de.
4. "What is the sense of belonging?" in: eHow. Retrieved on: April 26, 2018 from eHow: ehowenespanol.com.
5. "Maslow's Pyramid" in: Psychology and Mind. Retrieved on: April 26, 2018 from Psychology and Mind: psicologiaymente.net.