Affiliation motivation is the intrinsic desire to connect with others and belong to a social group, which plays a crucial role in forming and maintaining personal relationships. This type of motivation is essential for psychological well-being, as it provides individuals with a sense of community and support. An example of this is a student who joins a study group in order to feel a sense of connection. People with high affiliation motivation actively seek social approval, take satisfaction in group membership, and avoid conflicts that may endanger their social bonds.

Research suggests that affiliation motivation has evolutionary roots. Early human survival depended on social cooperation for protection, hunting, and resource-sharing. Being part of a group increased the chances of survival, fostering a natural predisposition toward forming social bonds. Over time, this need to belong became embedded in human behavior, promoting actions that sustain positive relationships and reduce the risk of social rejection.

In contrast, aggressive motivation arises from a desire for dominance or a reaction to frustration. It highlights behaviors intended to assert control over others or express displeasure. Aggression can manifest verbally, physically, or passively, such as when someone deliberately delays responding to an email to demonstrate discontent.

Aggressive behavior can be divided into instrumental and hostile aggression. Instrumental aggression is purposeful and goal-oriented; for example, a soccer player may forcefully tackle to prevent the opposing team from scoring. In contrast, hostile aggression is motivated by the intent to cause harm, as seen when an employee shouts at a coworker out of frustration, aiming not to resolve a problem but to inflict emotional pain. This distinction underscores the varied nature of aggressive responses, shaped by underlying motives and situational triggers.