Final answer:
The need for affiliation motivates individuals like Adam to engage politely with their coworkers, as this social motive drives humans to seek acceptance and community within groups. Networking and forming positive relationships in the workplace contribute to overall job satisfaction, self-efficacy, and career development.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to research, the need for affiliation encourages Adam to engage politely with his coworkers. The need for affiliation is described by psychologists including McClelland and colleagues as a fundamental social motive alongside needs for achievement and power. These social motives deeply influence how we interact with others and demonstrate behaviors which are collaborative, supportive, and community-oriented. Affiliation drives our desire to be accepted and belong to a group, which in the workplace translates to engaging in positive actions and building relationships with peers.
Networking and forming friendships in the workplace is paramount for personal satisfaction and career progression. Interacting with coworkers such as having casual chats, participating in team-building activities, and attending social events helps in creating a productive work environment and fosters a sense of belonging. This also feeds back into enhancing one's self-efficacy, which according to Albert Bandura, boosts one's belief in their capabilities and motivates behavior towards engaging in challenges and overcoming setbacks.
Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs similarly touches on the importance of social needs, positioning belongingness and love as critical elements that follow basic physiological and safety needs. Our psychological health and work performance are significantly impacted by having strong, positive relationships with coworkers. Thus, the need for affiliation not only propels individuals to be polite and cooperative but also acts as a springboard for personal and professional growth.