feeling achieved or appreciated when receiving praise in school. while it can be a good motivator, constantly seeking academic validation can become a problem mentally. this can lead to purposefully overworking yourself to feel that adrenaline rush that comes with good marks.
Mom: Why are your grades so bad?
Me: Because I seek academic validation to the point where if I can't do it perfectly the first time then there's no use in trying at all.
To feel better about oneself by viewing oneself not as an individual but as part of a larger group. In this state, one need not accomplish anything oneself but can take great pride in the accomplishments of others as though they are personal accomplishments because the group is viewed a personal extension.
'Yea we won!"
"No the Steelers won. You just watched the game on TV."
All Amy had to do was write, 'Thanks to all for the birthday wishes!' on her Facebook Wall but because of her validation addiction, she instead chose to personally thank each and every one of her 500 friends!