Social validation is a process whereby individuals seek approval from others to validate their identity or self-worth. This can be achieved through positive feedback from peers, family members, or romantic partners. Validation can come in many forms such as compliments, attention, affirmations, encouragement, and support. Social exclusion, on the other hand, occurs when an individual feels rejected or left out due to social circumstances. This may occur because they do not meet certain criteria for inclusion into a particular group or because they are perceived as different from those around them.
The experience of social validation has been shown to influence relational confidence, attachment security, and emotional closeness. Relational confidence refers to an individual's ability to build trusting and secure relationships with others. When an individual receives validation from others, they feel more confident in their abilities to maintain healthy relationships.
Validation helps reinforce an individual's sense of self-worth and increases their feeling of belonging within a social group.
Attachment security is another important factor influenced by experiences of social validation and exclusion. Attachment theory posits that children develop strong bonds with caregivers during early childhood that shape their future relationships. Individuals who have experienced social validation during this critical period tend to form more secure attachments later in life. They are better able to regulate their emotions and communicate effectively with others, which leads to greater intimacy and emotional closeness. On the other hand, individuals who have experienced social exclusion may struggle with building secure attachments, leading to difficulties in interpersonal communication and intimacy.
Experiences of social validation and exclusion also impact emotional closeness. Emotional closeness refers to the degree of connectedness between two people. When two people share a close relationship, they are able to openly express their feelings without fear of rejection or judgment. Validation promotes emotional closeness by fostering positive interactions and encouraging honesty and vulnerability. Social exclusion, on the other hand, can lead to feelings of isolation and loneliness, making it difficult for individuals to form meaningful connections with others.
Experiences of social validation and exclusion play a significant role in shaping relational confidence, attachment security, and emotional closeness. Receiving validation from others can increase an individual's sense of belonging and strengthen their ability to build trusting relationships. Conversely, experiencing social exclusion can hinder these processes and make it challenging to establish secure attachments and achieve emotional closeness. It is crucial to recognize the impact that validation has on our lives and seek out healthy sources of affirmation when needed.
How do experiences of social validation or exclusion influence relational confidence, attachment security, and emotional closeness?
A growing body of research suggests that both positive and negative experiences of social validation and exclusion can impact an individual's relational confidence, attachment security, and emotional closeness. Social validation refers to the experience of feeling accepted by others in a group or community, while exclusion involves being left out or rejected from such groups or communities.