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-   -   Loneliness Can Be Contagious ! (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=444965)

  • Feb 9, 2010, 09:08 AM
    ROLCAM
    Loneliness Can Be Contagious!
    Is this a true fact?
    Please share your experiences.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 09:11 AM
    NeedKarma
    No, that statement fails logically.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 09:40 AM
    thisisit

    Actually, a recent study, by John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago found that loneliness is contagious. Here is a link to Science News where you can read more about it: Loneliness Is Contagious, Study Suggests - Science News
  • Feb 9, 2010, 09:49 AM
    NeedKarma
    That study is odd to say the least. It also mentions that not all scientists are sold on the methodology used. It appears that lonely people make loose ties with others of their kind then cut those ties.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 09:53 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thisisit View Post
    Actually, a recent study, by John Cacioppo of the University of Chicago found that loneliness is contagious. Here is a link to Science News where you can read more about it: Loneliness Is Contagious, Study Suggests - Science News

    Lots of "can"s and "suggest"s in that article. I don't believe the conclusion, "leaving their former friends less well-connected and more likely to mistrust the world themselves," is what happens. My observation has been that "former friends" cement the current positive relationships they have and move into new positive ones.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:12 AM
    thisisit

    My opinion is that unless someone is suffering from depression, loneliness is a choice. But, I also believe that people who suffer from boredom are, themselves, boring.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:18 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thisisit View Post
    my personal opinion is that unless someone is suffering from depression, loneliness is a choice. But, I also believe that people who suffer from boredom are, themselves, boring.

    And your conclusion from those two opinions is..
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:29 AM
    thisisit

    Those are my observations wondergirl, I haven't come to many conclusions yet :)
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:32 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thisisit View Post
    those are my observations wondergirl, I haven't come to many conclusions yet :)

    Do you think people want to hang around with people who are lonely and boring? The article "suggests" yes, they do and then become lonely and boring too.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:38 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Do you think people want to hang around with people who are lonely and boring? The article "suggests" yes, they do and then become lonely and boring too.

    That's the take I got from it too.
    Perhaps rolcam will return to the thread and offer some insights as to why he/she is asking the question.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:43 AM
    spitvenom

    I don't know maybe I am making this to simple but if you are around someone doesn't that mean you aren't lonely anymore? I don't know if I even know what Loneliness feels like. I always have people around me if I want them there or not. Even if I want to be alone people still find me.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:50 AM
    thisisit
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Do you think people want to hang around with people who are lonely and boring? The article "suggests" yes, they do and then become lonely and boring too.

    No, in fact, I don't think that. However, there are instances where people don't have a choice as to who they interact with, such as at work or within a family. In those situations, sometimes some people allow other's moods to rub off, or, for instance: The boss is having a bad day and is acting out. It will affect some employees in a negative way, others will let it all roll off their back.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:53 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thisisit View Post
    No, in fact, I don't think that. However, there are instances where people don't have a choice as to who they interact with, such as at work or within a family. In those situations, sometimes some people allow other's moods to rub off, or, for instance: The boss is having a bad day and is acting out. It will affect some employees in a negative way, others will let it all roll off their back.

    Ah, then that becomes a different study: people who are easily affected by the moods of others. :)
  • Feb 9, 2010, 10:59 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thisisit View Post
    No, in fact, I don't think that. However, there are instances where people don't have a choice as to who they interact with, such as at work or within a family. In those situations, sometimes some people allow other's moods to rub off, or, for instance: The boss is having a bad day and is acting out. It will affect some employees in a negative way, others will let it all roll off their back.

    Do you think those people who let negative moods rub off on them become negative themselves?
  • Feb 9, 2010, 11:06 AM
    thisisit
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Do you think those people who let negative moods rub off on them become negative themselves?

    That woud depend on the person
  • Feb 9, 2010, 11:10 AM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by thisisit View Post
    That woud depend on the person

    Aha! Was that mentioned in the study?
  • Feb 9, 2010, 11:43 AM
    thisisit
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by Wondergirl View Post
    Do you think those people who let negative moods rub off on them become negative themselves?

    I'm sorry, did I knock a chip off your shoulder? If so, please excuse my clumsiness. I was answering a post from Rolcam which states: "Loneliness Can Be Contagious !!

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Is this a true fact?
    Please share your experiences."

    I provided a link to a study about loneliness and its contagiousness, that's all. I did not create the study, I did not make the claim that loneliness is contagious or not. Just gave a link to a study that pertained to OP.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 11:48 AM
    NeedKarma
    Is happiness contagious? I think so but happy people are usually out around other people whereas lonely people often wallow in their loneliness by themselves. That was the point of my first response to this question.

    Where's the OP anyway?
  • Feb 9, 2010, 12:19 PM
    Wondergirl
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    Where's the OP anyway?

    When I said:
    Quote:

    Wondergirl agrees: Rolcam is a he, have known him for years. He's maybe 6-7 hrs. ahead of us
    I probably meant behind us? (I get soooo confused.) He's to the east in Europe somewhere.
  • Feb 9, 2010, 12:27 PM
    NeedKarma
    Oh crap you're right. His profile says he's Aussie.

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