<P> Outside the conscious mind, a type of conformity is behavioral mimicry, otherwise known as the chameleon effect . Behavioral mimicry is when individuals mimic behaviors such as facial expressions, postures, and mannerisms between other individuals . Researchers found that individuals subconsciously conformed to the mannerisms of their partners and friends and liked these partners more who mirrored them . This is important in regard to rapport building and forming new social relationships - we mirror the behaviors we are supposed to, to get to where we want to belong in the group . People are motivated to conform to gain social approval and enhance and protect their own self - esteems . However, people who wish to combat conformity and fight that need to belong with the majority group can do so by focusing on their own self - worth or by straying from the attitudes and norms of others . This can establish a sense of uniqueness within an individual . Yet, most individuals keep positive assessments of themselves and still conform to valued groups . </P> <P> When our belongingness needs are not met, Wilkowski and colleagues (2009) suggest that self - regulation is used to fulfill one's need to belong . Self - regulation is defined as the process of regulating oneself, or changing one's behavior, to manage short - term desires according to the self - regulation theory . Self - regulation can occur in many different ways . One of these ways uses other individual's gaze (s) as a reference to understand how attention should be divided . This effect is especially seen within individuals that have low levels of self - esteem . Interpersonal acceptance is not met in individuals with low self - esteem, which prompts them to self - regulate by looking to others for guidance with regards to where to focus attention . Belongingness contributes to this level of self - esteem . Baumeister, Dewall, Ciarocco, and Twenge (2005) found that when people are socially excluded from a group, self - regulation is less likely to be than those who have a heightened sense of belonging . For example, participants were told that the other people in the study did not want to work with them and as a consequence they would have to complete a task on their own . Later, those participants were offered a plate of cookies . The participants that were told that nobody in the group wanted to work with them took more cookies than those who were not told this information, which provides evidence that a lack of belongingness inhibits people's ability to self - regulate . Self - regulation includes impulse control and allows one to manage short - term impulses and have a heightened sense of belongingness within an ingroup . An ingroup is a social group in which a person psychologically defines themselves as being a member of that specific group . By being a part of this group, one has a better ability to self - regulate . </P> <P> As the span of relationships expands from childhood into adolescence, a sense of peer group membership is likely to develop . Adolescent girls have been found to value group membership more and are more identified with their peer groups than boys . Adolescent girls tend to have a higher number of friends than boys . They expect and desire more nurturing behavior from their friends . Girls experience more self - disclosure, more empathy, and less overt hostility compared to boys . A study found that girls use ruminative coping, which involves perseverating on the negative feelings and the unpleasant situations associated with problems . Boys on the other hand, tend to be less intimate and have more activity based friendships . Boys do not benefit as much as girls from feelings of belonging that are a product of enduring and close friendships . They are less vulnerable to the emotional distress that is likely to accompany high levels of co-rumination and disclosure . </P> <P> Various peer groups approve of varying activities and when individuals engage in approved activities, the peer group positively reinforces this behavior . For example, allowing the individual to become part of the group or by paying more attention to the individual is a positive reinforcement . This is a source of motivation for the individual to repeat the activity or engage in other approved activities . Adolescents have also been observed to choose friendships with individuals who engage in similar activities to those that they are involved in . This provides the individual with more opportunities to engage in the activity therefore the peer group may influence how often the individual engages in the activity . To feel a sense of belonging and fit in, adolescents often conform to activities of a particular group by participating in the same activities as members of the peer group . </P>

A sense of belonging is a fundamental human need