California Correctional Lieutenant Practice Exam

Which phrase best describes the feelings associated with affectional starvation?

1. Desire for freedom

2. Longing for familial connections

3. Need for entertainment

4. Craving for authority

The correct answer is: Longing for familial connections

Affectional starvation refers to a profound sense of emotional emptiness and longing for connection, primarily within familial or close relationships. This feeling arises when an individual experiences a lack of affection, love, or emotional support, leading to a deep yearning for meaningful interpersonal relationships, particularly with family members. The phrase "longing for familial connections" captures this essence perfectly, as it highlights the emotional deprivation that occurs when those vital relationships are absent. Individuals suffering from affectional starvation often feel isolated and disconnected, and they may crave the nurturing and support that family ties typically provide. Other options may touch upon unrelated areas of human experience, but they do not encapsulate the emotional depth and specificity of affectional starvation. For instance, the desire for freedom emphasizes autonomy rather than emotional closeness, the need for entertainment speaks to distraction rather than meaningful connections, and craving authority relates to power dynamics, which is distinct from the yearning for affection and emotional attachment.