Reflecting on the Longing for Belonging

Reflection Assignment #2
The Longing for Belonging

As we have emphasized in this unit of the course, humans are social beings. We live and find safety and security with others and in groups. We flourish and find happiness and healing when connected in close, supportive relationships. One of the reasons why the past 11 months have been devastating is that the pandemic has robbed us of our ordinary social interactions. Separation, loneliness, and isolation are stressful. This assignment is about relationships.

Reflection questions:

What are the ways in which the coronavirus pandemic has challenged our (both in general and for you personally) ability to satisfy the need to belong?

If it has, might the isolation increase risk of physical or mental health problems?

In what ways has the isolation impacted the three operating systems of the brain, for example our “taking in” key experiences that help a particular system?

Despite being socially distanced, are there ways we can nevertheless satisfy our need to belong and to connect? Is there a way that you personally overcame the barriers of physical separation to meaningfully connect with others?

Can you provide an example from your own life in the past week where you have provided or received social support?

As with the first reflection paper, feel free to incorporate other concepts as well based on your own personal experience or class material. But be sure to address at least 3/5 specific questions (more if you wish).
Your response should be about 300 words in length. This is not a strict limit; slightly more or slightly less is fine. This is open book and open notes. Citations and references are not necessary. This is a reflective exercise, not a formal paper.
Evaluation will be based primarily on responsiveness to the assignment, your communication of ideas, incorporation of ideas or concepts from class, organization of the essay, and mechanics. We will be stricter in point deduction for papers that vary greatly in prescribed length or deviate from the answering the questions posed in the assignment.