Social interaction I 2.1

What is the fundamental need described by Baumeister & Leary (1995)?

The need to form and maintain a minimum quantity of lasting, positive, and significant interpersonal relationships.

How does the evolutionary perspective explain the need to belong?

It suggests that early humans who were social and caring were more likely to survive, mature, and reproduce.

What happens when individuals lack close relationships?

They suffer from pain, reduced wellbeing, and impaired intellectual functioning.

What is a strong predictor of illness and mortality according to Coyne et al. (2001)?

Lack of a social network.

What did Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010) find about relationships and mortality?

The need to feel socially connected is a matter of life or death.

What is the relationship between pleasant daily social interactions and life satisfaction?

Pleasant daily social interactions are associated with greater life satisfaction.

What characterizes the top 10% happiest people according to Diener & Seligman (2002)?

They are highly social and have the strongest, most satisfying relationships.

What types of relationships are mentioned as important for social interaction?

Friends, family, colleagues, fellow students, romantic partners, and even strangers.

How can interactions with 'weak ties' benefit wellbeing?

They can provide a greater sense of belonging and contribute to overall happiness.

What was the outcome of participants engaging with a barista in Sandstrom & Dunn's (2014) study?

Participants felt happier due to a greater sense of belonging.

What effect did engaging with a bus driver have in Gunaydin et al.'s (2021) study?

Participants who expressed thanks felt happier.

Why are positive interactions with others important?

They help us recognize the value of others and foster a sense of connection.

What is the significance of the quantity of social interactions?

Having a sufficient number of social interactions is beneficial for health and wellbeing.

What is the relationship between the quality of relationships and thriving?

High-quality relationships promote thriving and overall wellbeing.

What does the need to belong compare to in terms of human needs?

It is comparable to our need for food.

What is a common characteristic of relationships according to Baumeister & Leary (1995)?

Relationships are easy to form and difficult to break.

What does the evidence suggest about the need to belong across cultures?

The evidence does not seem culture-specific, indicating a universal need for relationships.

What is the impact of rejection on individuals?

Rejection can cause pain and negatively affect wellbeing and intellectual functioning.

What does the study by Sandstrom & Dunn (2014) suggest about social interactions?

Engaging in social interactions, even with strangers, can improve feelings of happiness.

What is the relationship between social bonds and health according to Holt-Lunstad et al. (2010)?

Strong social bonds are associated with better health outcomes.

What are the benefits of positive interactions?

They help us recognize the value of others and feel connected.

What is the common misconception about 'weak' ties?

We tend to underestimate how happy the target will feel after a conversation.

What are the positive effects of kind acts and gratitude?

They have a significant impact on how much people like us.

What is relational diversity?

The richness and evenness of relationship types across one's social interactions.

Why is relational diversity important?

It is linked to health and wellbeing, as shown in studies with ~50,000 participants.

What does the concept of 'quantity' refer to in social interactions?

The number of social interactions one has.

What does the concept of 'quality' refer to in social interactions?

The depth and meaningfulness of relationships.

What does the concept of 'diversity' refer to in social interactions?

The variety of different relationship types one engages with.

What is attraction in social psychology?

Evaluating another person positively, not limited to romantic contexts.

What is reciprocity in the context of attraction?

We like people who like us and feel more positively towards them after knowing they like us.

How does familiarity influence attraction?

People we see and interact with frequently are more likely to become friends or partners.

What was the finding of the MIT Housing Study regarding proximity?

65% of residents had at least one friend in their own building, despite it being only 5% of all residents.

What is the mere exposure effect?

We tend to like things more after repeated exposure to them.

What is a potential downside of familiarity?

Initial disliking may breed contempt after further exposure.

What are the three main forces that attract people to others?

Reciprocity, similarity, and familiarity.

What is the role of social affiliation in attraction?

It fulfills the need to belong and contributes to health and wellbeing.

What should be considered regarding social interactions for wellbeing?

The roles of quantity, quality, and diversity.

What is the conclusion about attraction?

We are attracted to those who reciprocate our liking, are similar to us, and with whom we are familiar.

What is the significance of studying relational diversity?

It replicates the benefits of the amount of interactions and highlights the importance of diverse relationships.

What is the importance of weak ties in social interactions?

They provide powerful benefits despite barriers to interacting with them.