[CelestialFlame]

I’ve learned recently in my communications class that humans are naturally social creatures and require social interaction in order to survive. In fact, if a person were to remain socially inactive for long enough, their mental health will slowly deteriorate as well as their physical health and their body will eventually fail them. Now how did it come to be, if social interaction is so important, that there are so many people in the world that like to be alone instead of with other people? When did this change in behavior start? What caused it? Why are we like this?

[Sunflower123]

I’ve often wondered about the validity of that. I am an introvert and a loner. That theory has always been flipped for me. If I have too much social contact, I don’t do well.

Originally Posted by Jennifer 1967

I’ve often wondered about the validity of that. I am an introvert and a loner. That theory has always been flipped for me. If I have too much social contact, I don’t do well.

That's exactly how I feel, and that was the same argument my therapist tried to push on me. And it really irritates me when people try and push that on me. Truth is, not everyone is social, and some do better on their own.

I can go weeks and months without feeling a need for socialization. *shrug*

[s4ndm4n2006]

Well to be honest introversion typically does not mean reclusive or completely isolationist personality and for the most part almost none of us is entirely like that. There is a certain amount of social interaction that we all thrive on. When the article or whatever states that when a person is cut off from socialization it is implying complete isolation which I dont' think many, if any of us actually experience.

Another aspect that may not be being considered here is that the interaction we receive online although not exactly the same level of socialization is still socializing. I am going to assume when someone speaks of a human being cut off from social activity it includes any and all of it. Don't forget you still get a bit of social interaction here, in chat and in other online environments, since you are receiving feedback and replies from other people.

I don't disagree with the statement that we are social creatures. I myself am pretty reserved and introverted, but I have to admit myself that if there were no people to talk to or interact with irl of online I'd probably become severely depressed too.

[Entity06]

Even most introverts and loners(if not all) crave social connections, having at least a friend, a loved one, feeling connected.
It's like, we all need the same things at the core but how that need is met differs. We all need food, for ex, but we don't all need the exact same food or amount of food and some are allergic to different foods. Our bodies need exercise but while some of us jog, others walk or play a sport or do a nr of those things.

Point is, just because the way we fulfill our needs differs, it doesn't mean the need isn't still there. All animals(or most creatures at least) will seek shelter, food and procreation but shelter means different things to different creatures, same for the other needs.

There's solid and long term research that shows human beings will in general suffer different negative consequences, to some extent or another, some more visible than others, when their need for belonging, connection and intimacy isn't met(whatever that quota happens to be in each case). This is something observed in other social creatures as well and it makes total sense because we have evolved to need these social bonds as they are key to our success as a species.

Oh and there are always exceptions to a rule, that doesn't invalidate it(or mean that the rare exceptions are somehow wrong, just different).

Online is one thing, because you're interacting with others in a controlled environment in which it is easy to be anonymous, and you can step away at any time.

However, regarding any need for contact with others in 3D, I'd beg to differ. Having distractions and hobbies help a lot. I find I am more bored than lonely, and start to feel depressed when I feel bored. Not for any lack of human contact.

I find 'things' (hobbies and interests) far more fulfilling than I do personal relationships.

Originally Posted by NaomiQuinn

I’ve learned recently in my communications class that humans are naturally social creatures and require social interaction in order to survive. In fact, if a person were to remain socially inactive for long enough, their mental health will slowly deteriorate as well as their physical health and their body will eventually fail them. Now how did it come to be, if social interaction is so important, that there are so many people in the world that like to be alone instead of with other people? When did this change in behavior start? What caused it? Why are we like this?

It's true that we use social interactions for so many reasons, such as business, exchange of information, and even support as we do here.
I actually find these kind of generalizing claims to have the opposite effect on asocial people, or people who have a hard time being social. I can tell about myself that these kind of claims make me feel ever worse about myself.
These claims are saying "If you're not like this, you're not human and you will not survive". Those kind of claims are so extreme I sometimes wonder if they come from some sort of unknown agenda, because I have been aware of the very recent trend of seeing us as animals.

[eskielover]

We have evolved AWAY from thevsocial interaction. When this country started, the community banded together to keep the society alive. There tas a team work in the towns & everyone looked out for each other. I look at the history of the town I now live in compared to Lis Angeles whete I was born & raised. The fort that started this town had all the people wirking together just to survive.

I see the difference even now. I didnt totally isolate in Calif but had NO desire to know my neighbord & even though I was in a brand new home in a brand new neighborhood where we all started there at the same time I didnt ever get to know much of anyone there even in the church I went to thete was no connection & even with the other computer engineers I had very little interaction outside of work or my racquetball games at lunch.

I move to this small town of 8000 & I have grown to know so many over the last 10 years & I can say that having thevsupportive people surrounding me now is so much more wonderful than amything I experienced my whole life time before this. Having people who care & who look out for you is totally pricelessbto me. Life used to be social & i see social a lot more in the small towns whete people REALLY know each other.

There have always been those who isolate even in the beginning of the country but they were a lot more few & far between because people needed the support just to survive.

We get so caught up in our world today we fail to think or even understand what life was like & how social it NEEDED to be just for survival