Author Description

Most higher-order animals live in some sort of community or relationship with one another. Humans are no exception. We live in a social world and are hard-wired psychologically and physiologically toward being with other people. We interact'one-on-one and in small or large groups'because we desire companionship, a sense of belonging, of shared experience. Within any group of people, whether a family, a neighborhood community, a club membership, or a workplace, there is a social system in place, with customs and protocol to be followed. When you make self-actualization your long-range goal, your are taking responsibility for seeking the life you want. Without effective socialization, a person is limited in facing life's challenges. Because we don't live on instinct'the human world is too complex for that'we rely on each other, not just for survival, but for support. Even if our physical needs'for food and shelter'are met, human needs go beyond basic survival. In fact, when attempts have been made to raise humans in isolation from emotional and physical connection with other humans the unfortunate subjects died even though their needs for food, air and water were provided for. When we interact, it is because we want to share, we want to be understood, and we want to be accepted. The opposite of loneliness is a sense of belonging.