Why do people remain in, or even join, a community? Satisfying needs. “… men journey together with a view to some particular advantage, and to provide something that they need…”, as written by Aristotle in ‘Nicomachean Ethics’.

The psychological indispensability of an individual relationship assumes the deep emotional connections and mutual understanding that evolve through time and such factors as social cohesion, trust in integrity, empathetic support, and shared experiences. These relationships satisfy a need. Not only can individuals establish psychologically indispensable relationships with one another in a community, but so too can a community, as an entity unto itself, establish psychologically indispensable relationships with its members by satisfying their needs.

Internal vs. External Needs Satisfaction

Whether joining or staying, a person is only attracted to a community by two major sources of needs satisfaction: the community itself is the object of the need, and/or being in the community is the means for satisfying needs lying outside the community. In short, a community must satisfy internal and/or external needs – preferably both!

The Community Satisfies Needs Internally

The community may be the object of the need, either because of an attraction to the people or because of a liking for the activities available in the group, or both. For example, a member may join a community because he places a high value on the community’s purposes and feels that the goals of the group are worthy ideals with which he is aligned.

The Community Satisfies Needs Externally

Membership in a community may be the means by which one satisfies needs lying outside of the community, such as a need for personal prestige, higher wages, or even physical security. In this case the community acts as a social lubricant, smoothing the path towards something desirable in its environment.

It All Comes Down To Love & Power

Collectively, the needs satisfied internally can be grouped into the category of “Love”, while the needs satisfied externally can be grouped into the category of “Power”. The community itself serves as the object of the need by satisfying one’s need for love, while being in the community is the means by which one satisfies one’s need for power (those needs lying outside the community, but that which some characteristic of the community’s environment creates a path to the satisfaction of). What are the internal and external needs?

The Need For Love

The need for love includes such needs to be satisfied as: affection, affiliation, belongingness, confidence, inclusion, intimacy, and self-worth.

Affection – The warmth and care received through community relationships, from casual friendships to deep bonds. In communities, this manifests through acts of kindness, checking in on one another, celebrating together, and the general goodwill that develops among people who share common spaces and purposes.

Affiliation – The fundamental sense of being connected to and identified with a group. Communities satisfy this through shared identities, common goals, and the simple fact of membership itself. It’s the feeling of being part of something larger than oneself, whether that’s a neighborhood, religious congregation, hobby group, or cultural organization.

Belongingness – The deep psychological comfort of having a place where you’re accepted and expected. In communities, this is satisfied through regular participation, having recognized roles, being missed when absent, and knowing there’s always a seat at the table for you. It’s the security of knowing you have a social home.

Confidence – The self-assurance that grows from positive social feedback and successful interactions within the community. This develops through opportunities to contribute, receive validation for your efforts, take on responsibilities, and see your value reflected in how others respond to you.

Inclusion – Active involvement in community activities, decision-making, and social life. Communities satisfy this need by ensuring members have voice and agency, creating accessible spaces and events, actively inviting participation, and removing barriers that might keep people on the margins.

Intimacy – The close, trusting relationships that develop through sustained community interaction. This includes having people who know your story, share your struggles, celebrate your victories, and with whom you can be vulnerable. Communities provide the time, space, and context for these deeper connections to form naturally.

Self-worth – The sense of value and dignity that comes from being a contributing member of a community. This is satisfied through recognition of your unique gifts, opportunities to help others, seeing the positive impact of your participation, and knowing that your presence matters to the collective wellbeing of the group.

The Need For Power

The need for power – the ability to influence one’s environment, control outcomes, and establish one’s significance within social hierarchies – includes such needs to be satisfied as: accomplishment, achievement, appreciation, freedom, independence, recognition, and reputation.

Accomplishment – The successful completion of tasks, goals, or objectives through one’s own efforts. It represents the tangible results of applying one’s abilities and resources to achieve something meaningful.

Achievement – The attainment of success through effort, skill, or courage. While similar to accomplishment, achievement often implies reaching a notable standard or surpassing expectations, particularly in competitive or challenging contexts.

Appreciation – The recognition and acknowledgment of one’s value, contributions, or qualities by others. It involves being understood, valued, and having one’s efforts noticed and regarded positively.

Freedom – The ability to act, speak, think, or make choices without unnecessary restraints or external control. In the context of power needs, it represents autonomy and self-determination in one’s actions and decisions.

Independence – The capacity to function self-sufficiently without relying on others for direction, support, or validation. It encompasses both material self-reliance and psychological autonomy.

Recognition – The formal or informal acknowledgment of one’s achievements, status, or contributions. It involves being identified and distinguished for one’s accomplishments or position within a social or professional context.

Reputation – The collective perception or estimation of one’s character, abilities, or achievements held by others. It represents one’s standing or credibility within a community or field, built over time through consistent actions and accomplishments.

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