Social Bonds: Roy Baumeister And Mark Leary

812 Words2 Pages

Social Bonds are Essential Roy Baumeister and Mark Leary claim that all individuals across the world desire to feel a part of something involving other. This makes them feel worthy, safe and happy. The need to form these connections and maintain them, as stated in the text “can be almost as compelling a need as food…”(Baumeister and Leary 1995 p. 499). It is thought that this is essential in that belonging has many benefits toward survival. Baumeister and Leary state again and again how being in a group, belonging with others increase the chances of receiving resources therefore increasing the chance of survival. It is also stated over and over that reproduction can not occur if there is not a social bond. Those that lack a social connection …show more content…

Individuals even send cards to those they have never met not wanting to diminish the connection (Baumeister and Leary 1995 p. 503). Baumeister and Leary bring up that forming new social bonds and experiences are often celebrated. They discuss how introducing an infant to the world through birth is seen as a positive event whereas in reality it itself is stressful and painful and for decades after parents feel strained, stress and less happy. It is stated “It is plausible that the joy and positive feelings, whereas the negative aspects and feeling associated with parenthood arise indirectly from the hassles, conflicts and stresses that accompany the social bond” (Baumeister and Leary 1995 p. 506).
When referring to death, Baumeister and Leary state that “when people die relationships end” (Baumeister and Leary 1995 p. 507). They then continue by pointing out how the fear of death may not be death itself but leaving behind loved ones and the connection that has grown. A study done by Like Kaufman, L.J. Beckman in 1981 discovered that after a elderly women had become widowed and had little to no social interaction responded greatly from interactions with children. In fact, it was highly beneficial to their lives (Baumeister and Leary 1995 p.

More about Social Bonds: Roy Baumeister And Mark Leary

Open Document