9781422270158

The Interactive Brain Hypothesis (IBH) Another theory that has been proposed to explain social interaction is the interactive brain hypothesis. IBH proposes that by interacting with others, humans further develop their brain function. These interactive experiences and skills allow the brain to perform the functions that current brain imaging studies attribute to simple perceptual and cognitive mechanisms. At a high level, IBH has the potential to form the ‘big picture’ for human interactions. 8 What Happens if We Don’t Have People? Based on the research presented above, it’s clear that there is a biological basis for human interaction. Therefore, this next section covers the negative outcomes associated with a lack of human interaction. Actual and Perceived Social Isolation People associate certain traits with a higher risk of mortality, like smoking or exposure to pollution. However, people might not realize that those who experience social isolation, feel lonely, or live alone are also at a higher risk of not reaching their maximum lifespan. This conclusion is based on the data from 70 independent research studies. 9 In addition, the studies included fully adjusted statistical models, ruling out other variables like a person’s age or socioeconomic status and supporting the claim that social isolation, loneliness , and living alone increased the likelihood of a negative outcome. An important thing to note is that, based on the data, there was no difference between the effects of actual and perceived social isolation. This means that feeling lonely produced a similar outcome in those with objectively minimal social contact.

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You Are Not Alone: Social Isolation