Social Interaction, Loneliness, and Human Connection

Social Interaction

Why do we want to interact with one another? How do we want to be seen by people we interact with? How do we interact with others?

Human Need for Social Connection

What happens when we dont interact?

Loneliness The feeling that one s social relationships are less meaningful than one desires. Two people with the same number of relationships might differ in how satisfied they are with this reality.

Loneliness People feel different levels of loneliness: 50% of feelings of loneliness is hereditary Loneliness also changes with age: Adolescents equate being alone with loneliness Loneliness increases for senior citizens Sex differences in loneliness: Males feel lonely when isolated from group interactions Females feel lonely when they lack close one-on-one relationships

Measuring Loneliness How often do you feel unhappy doing so many things alone? Never Rarely Sometimes Often How often do you feel you have nobody to talk to? Never Rarely Sometimes Often How often do you find yourself waiting for other people to call or write? Never Rarely Sometimes Often

Consequences of Loneliness Loneliness is associated with Social Anxiety Depression Suicidality And is a risk factor for Weakened immune response when experiencing stressful events More frequent and intense colds and flu Diminished executive function Poor impulse control Poor delay of gratification

Is Loneliness Greater in Todays World? Facebook, Instagram, etc. expand the number of connections an individual can have Hundreds of friends and followers Smart phones enable contact at any time and despite physical distance By 2017, 75% of American teens owned an iPhone

Has the emergence of social media solved loneliness? Amount of social interaction has increased. Quality of social interaction has decreased.

Has the emergence of social media solved loneliness? Communication Nonverbal behavior without face-to-face is critical for interaction. conveying thoughts and feelings.

Smartphones May Be Increasing the Frequency of Loneliness. ?

For a video on the link between social media and loneliness CLICK HERE

Social Rejection Losing a social connection can be worse than not having the connection in the first place Even rejection by a stranger is painful Ball toss paradigm (Williams et al., 2000)

Sex Differences in Social Rejection Females: Males: Pretend not to be bothered OR seek vengeance Attempt to re-engage OR become despondent

For more on why social rejection hurts so much CLICK HERE

Feelings of Social Rejection Psychological Physiological Cold shoulder , Gave me the chills

ZHONG & LEONARDELLI, 2008 Included Excluded 6 5 Preference 4 3 2 1 0 Coffee Soup Coke Beverage Type