The present experiment was designed to test the hypothesis that institutionalized children have a greater need to affiliate, compared to noninstitutionalized control children, and that this need is negative in nature. It was also predicted that institutionalized children manifest less self-esteem than control subjects and that self-esteem is related to affiliation. An adaptation of French's Test of Insight and the Personal, Home, Social and Formal Relations Questionnaire were administered to 12 male and 12 female institutionalized children and a matched control sample. The data confirmed the hypotheses. The results were discussed, and the conclusion was drawn that social deprivation, which is characteristic of institution-reared children leads through a fear of rejection to an increase in affiliation motivation and, because of a poor socializing environment, to reduced self-esteem. 1 This study is based on a dissertation submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfillment of the honors bachelor's degree. The author expresses appreciation to Gerald Doyle for his helpful comments in the preparation of this research and to Valerie Sachs and Sharon Sidley who acted as scorers.2 Requests for reprints should be sent to the author,