To restate my question in few words: Aren't there many things we do for attention, but are usually mistaken or written-off as "seeking approval"? -- Explicit approval form others usually materializes some baggage within the attention-needing persons mind, doesn't it? -- Explicit disapproval form others does something similar?
"Attention whore" fits here. Nobody says "approval whore", but don't we mistake the superficial side of so many things people do as "needing approval" rather than just "needing attention"? All the tribal activities people do is for attention within the tribe, rather thatn approval within the tribe. -- Dressing up, fitting in, "going out", "getting along", ..., ... -- Talking weather, sports, small talk, ... People feel, "don't be opinionated, or you'll be rejected from the tribe and receive no attention." -- It's not the rejection or approval or disapproval, but the attention that's primary?