سيكولوجية الانتماء

The Psychology of Everything

by Kelly-Ann Allen, محمد سالم عبادة (ترجمة), ديفيد فرج (مراجعة وتحرير)

أيمكن الشعور بالإنتماء أن يزيد الرضا عن الحياة؟ لماذا نشعر أحيانا بالوحدة؟ كيف السبيل إلى إقامة روابط إنسانية مستقرة؟ يستكشف "سيكولوجية الإنتماء" مدى أهمية شعورنا بالإنتماء خلال حياتنا. من الطفولة إلى الشيخوخة بغض النظر عن الخلفية الثقافية والعرق والبقعة الجغرافية. إن الإنتماء إلى المجموعات كالعائلات والمجموعات الإجتماعية والمدارس وأماكن العمل والجماعات بكل ما فيه من فضائل ومثالب يمثل أساسا لهويتنا وشعورنا بحسن الحال، حتى في هذا العصر الذى غيرت فيه التقنية الطرائق التى نتواصل بها فيما بيننا، وفي عالم يتزايد فيه الشعور بالوحدة والعزلة الإجتماعية باستمرار يرين سيكولوجية الإنتماء كيف يمكن للروابط البناءة أن تبني لنا جميعا شعورا بالإنتماء.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

Published January 23, 2025

About the author

Dr Kelly-Ann Allen is an endorsed Educational and Developmental Psychologist, senior lecturer at Monash University and Fellow of both the Australian Psychological Society and the College of Educational and Developmental Psychologists. Dr Allen is also a senior honorary fellow of the Centre for Wellbeing Science, Melbourne Graduate School of Education, the University of Melbourne.

Reviews

[Peter Geyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This slim text is one of a series called "the psychology of everything" with some interesting topics.

Belonging is of great personal importance, given it applies to family, friends, interests, even location and all are aspects of fitting in, in shape or form, or simply acceptance for your kind of person.

Some time ago, I drove past a sign in an empty paddock a few kilometres away, advertising a new community that would arise simply through purchasing a block of land and building a house on it. For me this is simply marketing spin and so contentious, and i wonder if this is actually possible.

Possibly the criteria presumes some homogeneity or common interest, whether it be young families, similar interests that can be discussed at local barbecues or sports grounds, or similar levels of education and employment.

There may be more, but if you find yourself on the periphery, as I do, regardless, then it may not seem to be a community at all, or that it started off as such but then people went their separate ways for whatever reason. Very recently, I attended a memorial service for the wife of a friend who lived just over the road from my family home; he and his brothers were close friends and that easy familiarity remains. Nonetheless, I felt uncomfortable not knowing others, and with limited small talk.

Kelly-Anne Allen reports and explains the nature of belonging at various stages of life or in various situations e.g. technology, including the experience of rejection, also personally familiar in family and elsewhere, although not at the event I mentioned earlier.

Her language is clear and informative and by and large relates to my experience and what I know of others, whether they belong, or not. It can be read in a couple of hours and provides many opportunities for reflection. For me, there is something missing, but I don't know what it is and I may be asking too much.

[Edoardo Albert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Belonging is fundamental to being human. It has deep, deep roots in human history and prehistory. It makes the difference between a life fulfilled and a life of misery. And psychologists are now trying to understand it at the level of their discipline. Within the limits of psychology, Kelly-Anne Allen does a good job of giving an overview of belonging, from the viewpoints of theoretical and experimental psychology and their applications for psychological treatment. The book's main limitation, outside its brevity, is the rather desperate efforts made by the author to make it seem that the shift onto social media and the concomitatn decline in real-world interactions has not been absolutely terrible for personal relationships and a major driver for the steep rise in loneliness in the 21st century.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very easy read that provides a lot of good information (research) about 'belongingness'. The experiences from infancy to young adulthood, with a focus on school-aged children/youth receive the most attention. This is because the bulk of scholarly research into belonging has centered these age groups. The book ended with a song lyric quote from one of my favorite songs"

"To rephrase the words of Morrissey from the Smiths in the song “How Soon is Now”, “I am human and I need to be(long). Just like everybody else does”' (p. 107).

[Stephanie Muth · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Psychology of Belonging provides scientific answers to the global loneliness endemic. Loneliness and the lack of belonging are shown to be contributing factors to radicalisation, and environmentally detrimental behaviours amongst others. Humans are social creatures and the need to belong is intrinsic. It is one of the core needs according to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. And failure to meet this need leads to maladjustments and emotional distress.

In the introductory chapter, the Psychology of Belonging covers the underlying assumptions about belonging. It shows the pain from exclusion, and our mutual dependency to receive support, validation and understanding, and find meaning, identity and purpose in life. It also clarifies a general misconception that a sense of belonging increases with the number of people we surround ourselves with. And shares some insights from individualist versus collectivist countries.

The book draws a fascinating conclusion about the importance of belonging during childhood and adolescence for the functioning of our adult lives. And suggests solutions to enhance the awareness and commitment to driving inclusive behaviours that foster belonging globally.

The Psychology of Belonging provides interesting insights to the intellectual reader. It is particularly useful for leaders in the field of education, psychology, economics and politics. The author advocates that only with a shared sense of belonging, shared solutions for shared problems such as climate change may be found.

[Wing · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very short (around 100 pages) book succinctly summarizes the concept of belongingness. It comprehensively explores its nature, origins, and significant implications, including its impact on health outcomes. The book outlines both environmental and external factors, while equally importantly, it meaningfully discusses the contextual and subjective aspects of belongingness. It also explains the darker aspects of belonging. Moreover, the book addresses ways to deal with, if not overcome, challenges brought by modernity, such as technology and migration. While it may not offer a blueprint to combat the specter of loneliness plaguing modern societies, it serves well as a starting point for discussion. Four stars.

[Lisa Banu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good overview and intro on topic. Helpful to have the belonging scale/instrument, as well as the Fast Friends exercise.

[محمد عبادة · Rating 3 out of 5]

The human and animal experiments cited comprise the most intriguing part of the book. Nevertheless, it is worth reading.

[Carter Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book, gave insights into the developmental stages and how social habitus affects our sense of belonging. Amazing book