The need for social belonging

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For several years lay observations have caused a postulate of theory which is; within the time it takes for a high school senior to advance to a distinction of sophomore at University level, a phenomenon of sudden change by these young adults to a contradictory belief system has occurred. Having close association to young adults; both relational and by acquaintance, certain aspects of personality, specifically; the need for social belonging, raised the thought that it was this rather than true contemplation of ideas and beliefs, that had influence over the rapid contrast in ideological belief. In search of validation, a review of the literature on this topic was needed. Previous research has shown that behavior is influenced by situation, personality and culture (Jonsson, 2006). If looking at the components of that research the atmosphere, (culture) situation, has been provided by the liberal progressive theme that has overrun many universities. This combined with the young adult’s time of life that can bring great social, personal, and cognitive changes, provides ripe circumstances for finding an identity that will also feed the needs of self-esteem in belonging. The theorist, Erik Erikson (1963) spoke of this time in life as a type of psychosocial suspension in the search for social values that can define their identity. He also asserted that at this age young adults are eager to be accepted by their peers when searching for values (Goethals, 1999). Concerning the personality factor; many researchers have conducted studies utilizing the Five Factor Model, (FFM) of traits and Schwartz’s (1992) theory of basic personal values in searching for defining traits which identify with either the liberal or conservative ideology. There ... ... middle of paper ... ...ndings are consistent with psychological viewpoints on identity-based social influence (Cohen, 2003; Mackie et al., 1990; Turner, 1991), and the interpersonal motivations to form shared reality (Hardin & Higgins, 1996; Hardin & Conley, 2001 ;) (Malka & Lelkes, 2010). There is plentiful research to tie together the independent components of social influence, situation, personality, culture, and of the conformity found in Malka & Lelkes, (2010) More than Ideology: Conservative–Liberal Identity and Receptivity to Political Cues. Although all of this credible research exists, further studies are needed in finding that difference between a true ideological shift in viewpoint that is internal and consistent, and the one that develops out of the need of social belonging and then builds upon itself in conformity to the socially accepted definitions of an ideological view.

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