Social Connection
Maslow’s hierarchy of needs doesn’t give enough credit to the role of social connection.
The human brain is driven by a basic instinct to survive. This need trumps all others.
None of these needs — starting with basic survival on up — are possible without social connection and collaboration.
Humans are social animals for good reason. Without collaboration, there is no survival. It was not possible to defeat a wooley mammoth, build a secure structure, or care for children while hunting without team effort. It’s more true now than then. Our reliance on each other grows as societies became more complex, interconnected, and specialized. Connection is a prerequisite for survival.
Belongingness is the driving force of human behavior. Belonging to a community provides the sense of security and agency that makes our brains happy and helps keep us safe.
Social networks allow us to see the interrelated nature of society. Note the development of social capital from emerging, intricate patterns of interpersonal relationships and collaboration. The strength of our networks and our bonds improve our agency and effectiveness in the environment.
Technology is nothing more than a tool. It is a facilitator of human goals. Social technologies have opened floodgates to new ways to pursue existing motivations and objectives in ways increasing our sense of agency. We shouldn’t be surprised nor resist rapid adoption of tools that enable one of our most basic survival instincts, connection.
Psychology Today
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