Plain English Meaning

The need to feel liked, accepted, and part of a group. Once a student feels physically safe and secure, they want to feel they fit in with their instructor and fellow pilots.

Full Definition

The third level of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, describing the need to give and receive affection, to be accepted by others, and to feel part of a group. In an aviation training context, these needs influence a learner's willingness to engage, take risks, and persist when basic physical and safety needs have been met.

Context Anchor

Seen in aviation instructor material about student motivation, especially when discussing why a learner may engage, withdraw, ask questions, or stop training.

Derivation

From Maslow's 1943 hierarchy of needs. 'Belongingness' simply means the state of belonging, a slightly older noun form of 'belonging' that Maslow used to emphasise it as a distinct human need rather than a casual feeling.