Week 15, Post 2: Motivation

Griffin's thread of motivation ties many theories together. Griffin states that, "Communcation is motivated by our basic social need for affiliation, acheivement, and control, as well as our strong desire to reduce our uncertainty and anxiety" (472). The need for affiliation ties in both social penetration theory and the spiral of silence. Social penetration theory says that we acheive affiliation through self-disclosure. On the other hand, "fear of isolation- the loss of affiliation- is what causes those in the minority to remain silent" (472). Our human need to be affiliated with others is really strong. No one really likes being alone and in the minority. We have a basic human need of wanting to be with others. This can explain cliques in high school. We all have this need to be accepted and feel a part of the group. If we speak out against the group, we risk being kicked out of the group. Communication is motivated by our need for affiliation because we communicate in ways that don't endanger our affiliations. This happens on a daily basis and we try our best not to jeopardize our affiliations. I think my own communication is strongly motivated by the need for affiliation. I'm not sure if I can explain this need, except that it is basic and instinctual.