Social Motives
Social Motives - Related Videos
07:43
Quantifying Social Motivation in Mice Using Operant Conditioning
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Cited by 35 •
2015
This article describes a new protocol for the quantitative measurement of social motivation in mice using operant conditioning for a social reward. The protocol is useful for the measurement of social motivation in mouse models of autism and other disorders of social behavior.
01:37
Social Loafing
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2020
Another way in which a group presence can affect performance is social loafing—the exertion of less effort by a person working together with a group. Social loafing occurs when our individual performance cannot be evaluated separately from the group. Thus, group performance declines on easy tasks (Karau & Williams, 1993). Essentially individual group members loaf and let other group members pick up the slack. Because each individual’s efforts cannot be evaluated, individuals become less...
02:06
Social Exchange Theory
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2020
We have discussed why we form relationships, what attracts us to others, and different types of love. But what determines whether we are satisfied with and stay in a relationship? One theory that provides an explanation is social exchange theory. According to social exchange theory, we act as naïve economists in keeping a tally of the ratio of costs and benefits of forming and maintaining a relationship with others (Rusbult & Van Lange, 2003). People are motivated to maximize the benefits...
02:57
The Sense of Self: Reflected Self-Appraisal and Social Comparison
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2020
According to Charles Cooley, we base our image on what we think other people see (Cooley 1902). We imagine how we must appear to others, then react to this speculation. We don certain clothes, prepare our hair in a particular manner, wear makeup, use cologne, and the like—all with the notion that our presentation of ourselves is going to affect how others perceive us. We expect a certain reaction, and, if lucky, we get the one we desire and feel good about it. But more than that, Cooley...
06:41
Assessment of Social Interaction Behaviors
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Cited by 561 •
2011
Here we describe a detailed protocol for examination of sociability in mice by using Crawley's sociability and preference for social novelty test. We describe the advantages and possible applications for this procedure, including critical details important for correct interpretation of the results.
FAQs
The same person may prioritize affiliation, approval, belonging, cooperation, or status depending on the surrounding situation. Personal goals also influence which motive becomes most important at a given moment. This context-sensitive perspective helps psychologists interpret why behavior can change across relationships, groups, communication settings, and decisions rather than assuming one motive consistently controls social conduct.
These motives direct attention toward different social outcomes. Affiliation emphasizes connection, belonging concerns inclusion, approval focuses on favorable evaluation, cooperation supports coordinated action, and status concerns social position. Distinguishing among them allows researchers to examine interpersonal behavior more precisely and identify why people may respond differently to the same group or relationship.
Acceptance and rejection provide important social conditions for examining how motives operate. Responses to these experiences can reveal how people pursue connection, interpret relationships, or adjust behavior within a group. In psychology, this focus links social motives with interpersonal behavior and group dynamics, while also supporting research on communication, belonging, and social connection.
Personal goals help determine which social concern receives priority when people make decisions. Someone may emphasize cooperation in one setting, seek approval in another, or pursue status when social position matters more. Studying this interaction clarifies how motivation shapes decision-making within relationships and groups, especially when several social aims are relevant at once.
In education and workplaces, attention to social motives can clarify how belonging, approval, cooperation, and status shape interactions. This framework supports efforts to understand group dynamics, communication, leadership, and relationship quality. It can also inform approaches intended to strengthen social connection, helping researchers and practitioners consider the social goals influencing participation and collaboration.
Social motives provide a framework for research on communication, leadership, prosocial behavior, decision-making, and responses to acceptance or rejection. They also contribute to work on mental health and interventions designed to strengthen social connection. Because these motives connect individual goals with social contexts, the framework is relevant across interpersonal, group, educational, and organizational psychology.