Loneliness and Article C Flashcards
When does loneliness occur?
When there is an unhappy discrepancy between the number and quality of partnerships we want and those we have. It’s not the same as being alone.
Being dissatisfied bc we lack a social network of friends and acquaintances
Social isolation
Being lonely bc we lack affection and emotional support from at least one intense rs.
Emotional isolation
3 themes of the UCLA Loneliness Scale
- isolation from others- lonely ppl feel alone and less in contact with others than they want to be
- less close connection- to others than they want to be
- social connection- experiencing too little social connection w ppl in general
problems seen as a result of being lonely
- chronically higher BP and higher lvls of stress hormones in their blood
- sleep more poorly
- immune systems don’t work as well
- lonely ppl over the age of 50 are more likely to die in next 6 years than those with richer connections to others
What predicts loneliness?
Genetics/personalities
- higher levels of extraversion, agreeableness and conscientiousness are all linked to lower levels of loneliness.
- higher neuroticism or insecure attachment or low SE= higher loneliness
Are M or W more lonely?
M more often. but this often depends if they are close to a female partner. heterosexual men have fairly superficial rs with their male friends and rarely open up
* more correct to say macho men– connection needs expressivity
When ppl are lonely they aren’t much fun… their distress and desperation is evident in _________
negative attitudes toward others.
is loneliness or shyness more detrimental?
loneliness.
shy behaviour is innocuous and aloof- lonely behaviour is more corrosive and obnoxious.
what can loneliness lead to?
depression.
In addition to being gloomy and glum, depressed ppl engage in an obnoxious pattern of __________: they persistently probe for assurances that others like and accept them but doubt the sincerity of such declarations when they are received.
-excessive reassurance seeking
When do college freshman overcome loneliness more readily?
When they attribute their distress to unstable, short lived influences rather than just lasting deficits in themselves or others. Be hopeful! Don’t set heights too high- of course you will be lonely when you first move. that is ok!
What should we do to overcome being lonely?
We should seek new friendships, not romances and do what we need to do to be friendly.
When forcasting lvls of distress what do ppl not account for?
their own psyc immune systems- the ability to effortlessly make sense of and therefore reduce the emotional impact if unexpected neg events
Ps tendency to focus only on the emotional event in question when making their forecasts, frequently ignoring other life events that course raise or lower their distress in the wake of the event.
focalism
