Since people are social beings, they have a need to belong and to be accepted by various groups. When social needs become dominant, a person will strive for meaningful relations with others. After individuals begin to satisfy their need to belong, they generally want to be more than just a member of their group. Most people have a need for a high evaluation of themselves that is firmly based in reality- recognition and respect from others. Satisfaction of these esteem needs produces feelings of self-confidence, prestige, power, and control.
People begin to feel that they are useful and have some effect on their environment.
There are other occasions, though, when people are unable to satisfy their need for esteem through constructive behavior. When this need is dominant an individuals may resort to disruptive or immature behaviour-a child may throw a temper tantrum, employees may engage in work restriction or arguments with their coworkers or boss. Thus, recognition is not always obtained through mature or adaptive behavior. It is sometimes garnered by disruptive and irresponsible actions. In fact, some of the social problems we have today may have their roots in the frustration of esteem needs.