The Psychology Factors

In the world of plentiful networking opportunities, our struggle is not for finding connections but for meaning. As shown by the rise in volunteer work worldwide, people want to help other people. Altruists point the way to a new future, where people are not focused on what they can get from others but what they can contribute to their lives. Social networking provides the medium by which the human needs for meaning can be met. Adults in particular have to overcome the restraints from their past experiences in order to enjoy and satisfy the basic human need of meaning today. The pioneering philosopher and psychologist Abraham Maslow developed the hierarchy of needs model in the 1960s that has become very influential in modern psychology. This pictures human behavior as subject to a set of fundamental drives. It explains human behavior as driven by a set of needs which influence our behavior in hierarchical fashion as shown above.

People try to satisfy them in order:- Firstly their basic needs for survival (food and shelter), secondly they satisfy their need for security, and so on. Although this results in selfish behavior when people are operating at the lower levels (competition for food and water), those who have overcome the basic struggle to survive behave differently as they draw strength from quality relationships and begin to seek higher goals such as a sense of belonging and a purpose in their lives.

Many adults have lost the enjoyment of quality relationships and thus meaning because of past experiences that resulted in poor quality and hurt which has become their meaning. I.e. broken relationships, divorce, employment conflicts, family stresses and the list goes on. One of the main problems in understanding social networking is that it assumes that people behave utterly selfishly, which is untrue, because in many virtual communities people are being helped, encouraged and fulfilled everyday. Key point This does not apply to network operators. An operators primary aim is to make money, not build relationships.

There are some individuals that are only seeking to get rather than give and they approach a community with the same view as they have with their physical world. However, in many communities the very nature of altruism thrives because the people in the community have helped each other achieve and subsequently the very need for significance and esteem is fueled by the help each community member gives to others.

To ignore the social element and disregard issues such as purposeful relationships and self-esteem is to deny something essential to human psychology. In the virtual world individuals who dont understand these basic human dynamics are quickly spotted and shunned as an outsider or given the benefit of the doubt that they simply dont understand. Even then weve witnessed community members trying to help such individuals understand the very human nature that lies within them. In the adult communities many individuals apparently have given up on the fundamentals of human nature, after all doesnt everyone expect to be used, abused and taken from?

Consider adult experiences on the job. Mechanistic production and rapacious consumption do not contribute to a fulfilling life, far less substitute for one. Treating people as human resources - i.e. as tools for making money - is resulting in widespread stress, depression and meaninglessness amongst both rich and poor in the so-called developed countries.

People are generally keen to promote well-being of others, and a new generation is working as volunteers far more than their parents ever did. Their mentality has shifted from scarcity to abundance in accordance with changing circumstances.. Young people have higher aims than just maximizing their income. A new generation is discovering the tremendous value of making a real contribution to the lives of others and the medium of social networking is following form.

So to be successful in the virtual world one must go back to the basics of human composition and understand that giving is more satisfying than taking. Unless you have faith and understand that give and it shall be given you will approach social networking with a jaded mind and heart and you will fail to comprehend and tap into the power of human nature accelerated by technology.

To be childlike is the beginning of a new end. What say you?

Jay is one of the few really deep-thinkers about both the socio-cultural implications of social networking as well as the practical business application across a range of industries and sizes of business. Jay challenges me to up my game. July 21, 2007 Scott Allen, Coauthor, The Virtual Handshake: Opening Doors and Closing Deals Online, http://www.TheVirtualHandshake.com

Mr. Deragon is consider one of the leading experts in the emerging market of social networking market. He has studied numerous platforms, features, functions and the markets behavior. His analysis and findings conclude that this space has tremendous potential for individuals, companies and entire industries. There is an art and science to social networking that requires constant learning as the market matures. To read more about my discoveries and findings check out my blog.

Mr. Deragon was previously Chairman of XSVoice, a mobile application company that provided technology for live and on demand audio broadcast to mobile devices. See http://www.relationship-economy.com

The Laws of Creativity
Creativity is the process of formulating new ideas and concepts. It is also associated to finding the connection between these thoughts. Looking at creativity from a scientific perspective, creative process (which is also called divergent thought) are said to be original and appropriate.Another alternative perception of creativity is the simple tru...

The Best Investment - You and Your Career
Are you interested in a career in business, education, health science, psychology or the behavioral sciences? You can excel in your field with a degree and pursue the career of your dreams.There are many universities that offer undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate degrees that will launch your career, or provide you the edge you need to get ah...

Choosing a College in London
There are many higher education colleges in London which are offering vast range of courses and this makes the task of choosing your college more difficult. There are many factors which are considered when we look for a college course in London. You must consider those factors according to your need before selecting a college for a certain course. ...

The Trust Factor
The relationship economy is founded on technology, but can only be built on relationships. It starts with relationship networks and ends with trust.In relationships trust may refer to a relationship of reliance. Sociologists recognize a hierarchy of forms of activity and interpersonal relations that impact trust, divided into;behavior act...

Generating Traffic With MySpace - Do You Want to Increase Your Traffic With MySpace
MySpace is one of those social networking sites that are geared to meeting old and new friends. It is also the best way right now to generate the traffic to your site. But of course, you need to remember that there are certain factors that need to be consider so that you will attain this goal with MySpace.Here are few:1. You need to make sure that ...

Factors Affecting Real Estate Taxes
Property investment has never been easy. One of the many things you have to deal with is real estate taxes. Estate taxes, when correctly dealt with, might help you in your investment while if not being done correctly, it can work against you.Estate taxes come in many forms, but the most common forms of estate taxes are taxes that deal with the prop...

What Makes a Good Nursing School?
When searching for the best nursing schools, be sure to research and find out as much as you can before you make your final decision. Cost and convenience are all too often determining factors in where to attend College. Be sure to look into the Top Nursing Schools, while they may cost a bit more, you will find that extra investment pays for itself...