<P> After physiological and safety needs are fulfilled, the third level of human needs is interpersonal and involves feelings of belongingness . This need is especially strong in childhood and it can override the need for safety as witnessed in children who cling to abusive parents . Deficiencies within this level of Maslow's hierarchy--due to hospitalism, neglect, shunning, ostracism, etc.--can adversely affect the individual's ability to form and maintain emotionally significant relationships in general . </P> <P> Social Belonging needs include: </P> <Ul> <Li> Friendships </Li> <Li> Intimacy </Li> <Li> Family </Li> </Ul> <P> According to Maslow, humans need to feel a sense of belonging and acceptance among social groups, regardless whether these groups are large or small . For example, some large social groups may include clubs, co-workers, religious groups, professional organizations, sports teams, gangs, and online communities . Some examples of small social connections include family members, intimate partners, mentors, colleagues, and confidants . Humans need to love and be loved--both sexually and non-sexually--by others . Many people become susceptible to loneliness, social anxiety, and clinical depression in the absence of this love or belonging element . This need for belonging may overcome the physiological and security needs, depending on the strength of the peer pressure . </P>

The need found at the bottom of maslow's hierarchy is