Affiliation-The relationship resulting from affiliating one thing with another.

Crisp and Turner posed the question of “If experienced and influential individuals are likely to be at their preferred level of affiliation, why is it common for them to still assist younger, less experienced individuals?" (The Networked Professional 2010/11) I found this question very intriguing as I feel everyone is in a never ending cycle of information, whether you are less experienced or not. Everyone has been through different training,idea's not known to others, dissimilar judgements and understanding. In a network we can learn from each other, it does not matter how experienced you are everyone has something to give.

I am currently in the middle of a panto contract and I am working with some great individuals and I feel I am constantly captivated with there level of knowledge and experience. I try and "soak up" all the information I can in discussions however I still offer my input as I have intelligence in different areas of the business.

Joanna Adenyinka states that " I personally delight in being able to pass on knowledge to a younger person or up and coming performer. I questioned why this is such a satisfying feeling and concluded that it could be for many reasons".  I can absolutely relate to this as of course it is a satisfying feeling. You are handing them information,supplying them with help, it may not be a gift but they are gaining something!

Affiliation is a concept in the field of social psychology that seeks to explain why humans ‘form close relationships" (Crisp & Turner, 2007 pp266) Every job that I do I always form a trusting bond with at least one friend which enables us to both be generous in exchanging contacts and information.I don't purposely force myself upon people to gain something, its natural relationships that are formed because of similar interests. 

"If we don’t affiliate in the realms of our own professional networks we won’t know what’s going on and there won’t be a place for us to raise questions or seek out information.Without this we would feel out of the
loop and in the dark which in today’s society won’t help you progress." I agree with Ross and to add on to this quote I always feel out the loop with the industry when I am "out of work" as you are not socialising and connecting with people face to face on a daily basis. Yes you have the Internet but I always learn more when you are in the experience.


References-

The Networked Professional Reader 2010/11-http://libguides.mdx.ac.uk/data/files4/133682/The%20Networked%20Professional%20Reader.pdf- Accesed (21/12/10)

Ross Dunning Blogspot- (2010)http://rossdunning.blogspot.com/2010/11/critical-reflection-on-networked.html-Accessed (21/12/10)

Joanna Adeyinka-(2010)http://joanna-adeyinka.blogspot.com/2010/11/critical-reflection-on-professional.html-Accessed (21/12/10)

Crisp, J & Turner, R 2007 Essential social psychology London Sage