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Abraham Maslow, the well-known social psychologist and author of the “hierarchy of needs” theory, defined the need to belong - the social need to know others and be accepted, to be loved and beloved - as a basic need related and directly connected to the crystallization and development of one’s self-identity. He claimed this was a necessary stage that had to be achieved, after which one could then aspire to the self-respect and the respect of others stage, followed by the recognition stage. Achieving these stages leads upward to the self-actualization stage, expressed by peoples’ ability to make the most of their unique talents, realize their hidden personal potential, and strive to be the best they can be. |
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