Final answer:
Individuals high in the need for affiliation were likely to experience an increased sense of belonging and connectedness after participating in 5-week discussion groups, which facilitates the formation of stronger interpersonal relationships and potential involvement in high-risk activism.
Step-by-step explanation:
After participating in 5-week discussion groups, individuals high in the need for affiliation likely experienced an increased sense of belonging to a group and to a place. Such individuals, according to the need-to-belong theory, are motivated by a strong desire for interpersonal attachments, which can be fulfilling in discussion group settings. This tendency for affiliation is fostered by running the gamut from a sense of personal involvement in the group's daily activities to the realization of short-term aspirations that are likely to be fulfilled within the supportive group environment. The consistency of social interactions allows individuals with a high need for affiliation to satisfy their desire for integration and connectedness, similar to the principles observed in primary groups, known for more complex relationships and close-knit ties.
These participants may have also become involved in forms of high-risk activism, as strong-tie phenomena, wherein individuals stay engaged in collective action when they have close friends participating as well. The study of group dynamics shows that proximity often facilitates the formation of relationships, meaning people high in the need for affiliation may build long-lasting connections with others in their immediate environment, such as in a discussion group. Over time, these interactions, whether in person or extended to online platforms, could lead to solid network ties both within the context of the group or even in broader contexts, like social justice movements.