What Is a Sense of Belonging?

• Belongingness is an emotional need of human beings, a desire to be accepted by a group of people, be it at the school or office.
• Being part of a group includes acceptance, attention and support.
• As people strive for belongingness, they also change their behaviour, beliefs and attitudes to conform to the standards and norms of that group.
• To affiliate with others and be socially accepted is due to a basic intrinsic motivation: The need to belong.
• It affects our self-presentation, self-assessment and also leads to social comparison.

1. Our pop culture interests (like fans of a certain group).
2. Our religious beliefs or spiritual practices.
3. Our shared goals, like a runners club, for instance.
4. Our socioeconomic status.

Belongingness becomes a big factor in our hierarchy of needs, and impacts our life in basic ways. Lack of acceptance from other people and groups can lead to anxiety, depression, hopelessness, loneliness and even suicidal thoughts.