Utilizing the provided references as citation, what is a thoughtful response that can be formulated to this post?

The PowerPoint presentation provides insight into how most researchers conduct social psychology from an objectively naturalistic perspective. However, worldview plays a critical role in how researchers form questions, interpret data, and so forth, meaning that research is less objective than desired ("A Philosophical Introduction,"n.d.). A Christian worldview highlights God's existence, His creation of humankind, and His creation of humanity as relational beings with Himself and one another. With this in mind, it is interesting to note the work of Baumeister and Leary (1995) spotlighting evolutionary causes but overlooking virtuous or spiritual motivations.

Baumeister and Leary "describe, explain, and predict behavior" based on the need to belong but "cannot explain the purpose of human existence, the meaning of human life, the ultimate destiny of the human person" when it comes to belonging ("A Philosophical Introduction,"n.d.). Their hypothesis, "human beings have a pervasive drive to form and maintain at least a minimum quantity of lasting, positive, and significant interpersonal relationships," is supported by empirical evidence; however, the 'why' could be better understood in light of a Christian worldview, as opposed to only an evolutionary view (Pillow et al., 2015).

The intrinsic nature of belonging is to fulfill an evolutionary need for security, provision, and reproduction (Baumeister & Leary, 1995). In a Christian worldview, one recognizes God as the first to exhibit belonging in the Trinity. God invites humanity into that story of belonging and community when He makes man in His image (ESV, 2016, Gen. 1:27). Humans then reflect that interconnectedness in their earthly relationships because they were designed for it; the need to belong is the drive to love and ultimately to reflect God's nature and glorify God. This view speaks to the virtue and innate spirituality of humans. Yes, belonging meets a need for safety and other practicalities, but the root of that need differs depending on the worldview.

References

A Philosophical Introduction to Social Psychology[PowerPoint Slides]. (n.d.) https://regent.instructure.com/courses/11518/pages/philosophical-introduction-to-social-psychology?module_item_id=765208

Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1995). The need to belong: desire for interpersonal attachments as a fundamental human motivation.Psychological bulletin,117(3), 497-529.

Pillow, D. R., Malone, G. P., & Hale, W. J. (2015). The need to belong and its association with fully satisfying relationships: A tale of two measures.Personality and individual differences,pp. 74, 259-264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2014.10.031

English Standard Version Bible. (2016). Crossway Bibles. www.biblegateway.com