What is the "need for affiliation" in psychology?

The "need for affiliation" refers to a psychological motivation that drives individuals to seek out and maintain relationships with others. This need encompasses the desire to connect, form friendships, and engage in social interactions, highlighting the importance of belongingness and social support in human behavior. Individuals with a high need for affiliation tend to place significant value on social relationships and may seek approval and validation from peers, demonstrating that their emotional wellbeing is tied to their social interactions.

This concept is rooted in social psychology, where it is recognized that relationships can play a critical role in personal satisfaction and emotional health. The need for affiliation can influence various aspects of an individual’s behavior, including their ability to collaborate in teams, their responsiveness to social cues, and their overall social engagement.

In contrast, other options present motivations or behaviors that do not align with the fundamental concept of seeking social connection. For example, pursuing financial independence focuses on economic autonomy rather than interpersonal relationships. Conversely, avoiding social interactions and emphasizing individual achievements reflect orientations that can be at odds with the intrinsic human desire for social connection, which lies at the heart of the need for affiliation.