Health Outcomes
Social connection is as important to a person's health and survival as food, shelter, and safety.
True
People are biologically hardwired to seek human connection.
True
False; social support has more to do with genuine feelings of connection to others, rather than the number of friends a person has.
Having a strong sense of social connection can increase a person's lifespan by as much as 50%.
True
There is only one part of the brain responsible for controlling the ability to socialize.
False; multiple parts of the brain are responsible including the amygdala (works to process personal emotions), the medial prefrontal cortex and superior temporal sulcus (works to understand emotions of others), and the visual and auditory cortices (works to process environmental cues).
Social support is associated with better emotion regulation skills.
True
People who lack quality social connection have better sleeping habits, increased immune function, and lower levels of stress hormones (e.g., cortisol).
False; people who experience social isolation are more likely to have poorer sleeping habits, decreased immune functioning, and higher levels of stress hormones.
Also known as "the love hormone," oxytocin plays a vital role in social connection.
True
Inadequate social support can lead to feelings of distress, depression, and anxiety.
True
Social isolation should be thought of as a chronic illness that can be detrimental to health.
True
When employees experience positive relationships at work, they have better cardiovascular functioning and better immune system functioning.
True
Receiving social support is more beneficial than giving social support.
False; providing social support reaps more benefits than receiving social support (although both are important!)
People who have strong social connections with others who are geographically distant in proximity have worse health outcomes than people who have social connections with others who are in close proximity.
False; quality social connections foster better health outcomes regardless of proximity.
Epinephrine (adrenaline), cortisol, and glutamate are hormones/neurotransmitters that work together with oxytocin to promote social connection.
False; Oxytocin works with GABA, serotonin, and dopamine to foster a sense of social connection.
Technology is a barrier to social support.
True AND false; face-to-face interactions are the best form of social connection and offer the most benefits, but through technology, people can connect with others as well (especially during covid). Just don't rely on technology too heavily.