Affiliation

Affiliation

Affiliation is important in professional life. More often than not, working in the arts introduces us to new experiences regularly and we will rely on support from others to provide us with the knowledge and information we need to make the most out of the situation. 

Affiliation can be explained as 'A social process that provides us with a network of support that will help us when we are in need (Crisp and turner 2007, Reader 3).

Through research and relying on my own knowledge I have found that all humans have the need to affiliate, however these needs differ. 

If levels of actual affiliation do not reach the persons desire for affiliation it can often have last effects. 

Larson,Csikszentmihalyi (1982 p.322) found that 'teenagers where happier, more alert and more excited when in the company of others rather than alone.

Studies also proved that a lack of social and physical contact negatively affected the ability of the brain to cope with stress.

I would say my overall desire for affiliation is strong.  I feel motivated, positive and happy when spending time with others compared to feeling demotivated and stressed when spending too much time alone.

O'Connor and Rosenblood (1996) explored the model of social affiliation and came up with the idea that 'we operated in according to the principle of homeostasis; the idea that people control their levels of affiliation to keep it stable and as close as possible to a desired level. 


(a person concerned primarily with the physical and social environment (opposed to introvert ). Psychology. to direct (the mind, one's interest, etc.) outward or to things outside the self' http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/extrovert)


People who are introverted may have a lesser desire to affiliate. This links to the 'Privacy regulations theory' (Altman, 1975). Altman believes that our desire for privacy can affect our desire to affiliate. Some people are a lot more open than others. Most people who have met in the performing arts industry are often extroverts and seem to be very open people. It is important in our business to have affiliates and network particularly on stage and when teaching classes. Earlier I discussed how people may withheld information strategically. After studying affiliation and privacy levels I feel really bad for making that assumption.

 After thinking about this in depth I agree that desire of affiliations can vary.  There are certain situations where I feel I need to be alone, for example, when studying for BAPP or rehearsing for an audition. O'Connor and Rosenblood also believed desired levels of affiliation was linked to whether people are an 'extrovert' or 'introvert'. I would consider myself a extrovert.

Professional Situations when I may desire affiliation:

• First day of new job

• When stressed or struggling with work

• When reassurance is needed

• When confused or have little knowledge

All of these situations relate too anxiety. Stanley Schachter (1959) carried out a study in which he measured peoples need for affiliation in relation to anxiety. He split a group of people in to two groups and placed them in too different settings.

• High anxiety setting

• low anxiety setting

His analysis concluded that people in the high anxiety setting had a stronger desire too affiliate ( even with strangers), compared to people in the low anxiety setting.

References

Reader 3, Middlesex university 2014/15


Essential Social Psychology (2nd ed) Crisp, Richard J. and Turner, Rhiannon N. Chapter 11: Affiliation and attraction  

http://faculty.babson.edu/krollag/org_site/soc_psych/schachter_affil.html