Humans possess a powerful and fundamental need to belong
Extensive psychological literature strongly supports the proposition that humans possess a powerful and fundamental need to belong, which profoundly influences motivation, well-being, and behavior.
The retrieved papers consistently treat the need to belong as an established, foundational human motivation across diverse contexts, such as educational psychology, digital communities, and developmental well-being, with zero papers refuting the premise.
Kelly-Ann Allen, DeLeon L. Gray, R. Baumeister, M. Leary. The Need to Belong: a Deep Dive into the Origins, Implications, and Future of a Foundational Construct. 2021. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10648-021-09633-6
Paper [0] highlights the foundational role and enduring consensus around the need to belong as a fundamental human motivation.
See more details
Luján-Barrera A, Cervera-Ortiz L, Chóliz M. In-Game Need Satisfaction, Frustration, and Gaming Addiction Patterns Across Subgroups of Adolescents Through Structural Equation Modeling: Cross-Sectional and Instrument Validation Study of the Youth Gaming Experience Scales.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.2196/63612
Paper [4] confirms relatedness as a core psychological need within self-determination theory.
Lu Y. From belongingness to reduced loneliness: the roles of participation intensity and self-esteem in ACG communities.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1712286
Paper [5] underscores perceived belongingness as a fundamental human need that mitigates loneliness when satisfied.
Yue X, Cui X. Celebrity worship and empty self.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40359-026-04386-9
Paper [7] demonstrates that the need to belong mediates psychological vulnerabilities like emptiness and social exclusion.
Han L, Si X, Wang H, Leng X. From loneliness to connection: the formation mechanism of loneliness, job search stress, and organizational belonging among students approaching graduation in a context of employment contraction.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2026.1754280
Paper [8] applies belongingness theory to show how individuals actively seek organizational belonging during periods of transition.
Wang J, Wang P, Yue Y, Yin L, Wang W, Zhang G, Yin Y. Father Phubbing and Adolescents' Depressive Symptoms: The Roles of Relationship Satisfaction and Need to Belong.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15020139
Paper [9] identifies the need to belong as a critical moderator that intensifies the negative psychological impacts of social disconnection.
The paper trail · every fact has a biography
Challenge the receipt
Citation formatting by citeproc-js (Frank Bennett) and the Citation Style Language project. Source and licenses.
Terms · Privacy · How verdicts work · Dispute this receipt