Intrinsicbelonging
Intrinsicbelonging is a term used to describe the internal, self-endorsed sense of belonging that arises when a person perceives alignment between their identity, values, and actions and the social context, community, or environment they inhabit. Unlike belonging that depends on external validation or acceptance, intrinsicbelonging is characterized by authenticity, stability, and a felt sense of fit that persists beyond surface-level approval.
In its current usage, intrinsicbelonging appears across social psychology, philosophy of identity, and community design as
Applications include education, where curricula and classroom culture aim to support students’ intrinsicbelonging by recognizing diverse
Critiques focus on definitional ambiguity, risks of reifying belonging as a stable trait, and potential neglect