The Utility of Interdependence Aristotle proclaimed that humans are social animals by nature. We seek solitude from time to time, but we spend much of our lives in the company of other people. In most situations and societies, humans tend toward sociality rather than isolation. Studies indicate that human infants seem to be predisposed to form strong attachments to others and babies who are deprived of close human contact have higher mortality rates. Even in adults, protracted periods of social isolation can be extremely disabling and we prefer the company of others when we feel threatened or distressed.
Groups are supremely useful for their members, for they fulfill our most basic needs.
We proposed that peer groups, as groups, can fulfill a number of personal and interpersonal needs for members. The effects of group membership produce immediate changes in individuals' self- conceptions, but these effects do not necessarily end once membership in the group is ended. Individuals who were members of groups that fulfilled their basic needs for self-esteem and identity should continue to experience the positive consequences of that membership later in life. They evaluated their satisfaction with the group and they also rated their group's success in meeting sixteen needs. Results confirmed our assumptions.