Human Nature and the need for social Connection Flashcards
What does John T. Cacioppo’s research primarily explore?
The effects of loneliness and the importance of social connection
Cacioppo’s research provides a new view on how social connections can alleviate isolation.
What methods did Cacioppo use in his studies on loneliness?
Brain imaging, blood pressure analysis, immune response, stress hormones, behavior, gene expression
These methods highlight the physiological and psychological interdependence of humans.
How harmful can prolonged loneliness be to health?
As harmful as smoking or obesity
This finding emphasizes the critical impact of loneliness on health.
What does Cacioppo suggest about social connection?
It has therapeutic power and can be made available to everyone
The research promotes the idea of enhancing social bonds for better health.
What was crucial for survival in primitive ancestors according to Cacioppo?
Greater commitments to and from one another
This contrasts with the idea that physical strength was the primary survival factor.
What kind of response does loneliness engender?
A fear response that disrupts social bonds
This fear response is deeply rooted and affects behavior and health.
What can a persistent sense of rejection or isolation impair?
DNA transcription in immune cells, thinking, will power, perseverance, reading social signals, exercising social skills
These impairments can lead to negative cycles of behavior.
What is the feedback loop created by loneliness?
Defensive behaviors that reinforce isolation and rejection
This loop can trap individuals in self-defeating behaviors.
What potential societal benefits can arise from overcoming loneliness?
Greater prosperity and social cohesion
Increased social trust leads to improved community outcomes.
What critique does Cacioppo make about contemporary culture?
It focuses too much on competition and individualism at the expense of family and community
This critique highlights the need for a shift towards valuing social connections.
Fill in the blank: The unit of one is an inadequate measure for assessing the health and well-being of the _______.
individual
This emphasizes the importance of social relationships in personal health.
What is required for real relief from loneliness?
The cooperation of at least one other person
Loneliness can become chronic, making it harder to entice others into a connection.
How does loneliness affect our reactions to negative and positive experiences?
We react more intensely to negatives and experience less uplift from positives
Loneliness alters emotional responses.
Do lonely individuals spend more time alone than those who feel connected?
No, they spend no more time alone than those who feel more connected
Loneliness is not correlated with social skills or physical attractiveness.
What is the evolutionary significance of male reproductive competition in animals?
Males ejaculate more sperm in the presence of rivals to increase reproductive success
This affects physiological adaptations based on social competition.
What term is used to describe the absence of loneliness?
Social connection
There is no specific term for ‘not lonely’ in English.
Is feeling lonely at any moment considered abnormal?
No, it simply means you are human
Loneliness becomes a concern when it leads to a persistent negative cycle.
How can the presence of friends affect our enjoyment of experiences?
People smile more when watching a film in a friend’s presence, even if actual enjoyment is the same
Social presence can enhance perceived enjoyment.
What attachment style is more likely to form perceived social bonds with television characters?
Insecure, anxious attachment style
This group may also report intensified religious beliefs over time.
How do socially gifted individuals contribute to social interactions?
Through quiet encouragement rather than dominating conversations
Some socially adept individuals may also experience loneliness.
What is a common response to feeling unsafe in social situations?
Disagreeable behavior, often due to fight-or-flight responses
Addressing basic emotions can be more effective than arguing.
What impact does feeling safe have on creativity?
When we feel safe, we can think more creatively
Safety fosters a conducive environment for creativity.
How does happiness relate to social connections and income?
Greater happiness contributes to increased income
Happy people tend to experience less loneliness.
How do lonely undergraduates perceive their roommates compared to nonlonely peers?
Lonely undergraduates hold more negative perceptions of their roommates
This perception gap is larger for closer living arrangements.
