Lecture 1

Question 1

Coyne et al. (2001)

Heart-failure study

Answer 1

• Males in heart failure interviewed about relationships.
• Analyzed survival rates over four years.
• 70% happy marriage males still alive; 45% unhappy.
• Significant difference in survival rates.

Question 2

Berkman & Syme (1979)

Social integration

Answer 2

• Measured social integration in California individuals.
• Followed for nine years; analyzed survival rates.
• Least socially integrated had higher chances of dying.

Question 3

Cohen et al. (1997)

Rhino-virus

Answer 3

• Participants infected with rhino-virus.
• Socially integrated individuals less likely to get sick.
• Strength of immune system linked to social integration.

Question 4

Gouin et al. (2010)

Blisters

Answer 4

• Investigated positive interactions and oxytocin in blisters study.
• Positive behavior related to higher oxytocin levels.
• Higher oxytocin linked to faster recovery from blisters.

Question 5

Holt-Lunstad, Smit & Layton (2010)

Mortality

Answer 5

Reviewed social relationships’ contribution to mortality.
Compared effect sizes with other factors.
Laypeople ranked social relationships low on mortality impact.

Question 6

Why is social integration associated with well-being?

Answer 6

• Social integration —> Social support —> Health and well-being.
• Two ways: Direct effect-hypothesis and Stress-buffering hypothesis.
• Social support affects health positively and buffers stress.

Question 7

Coan et al. (2016)

Lending a hand…

Answer 7

• fMRI study on neurophysiological responses to pain.
• Holding hands reduced stress-related brain activity.
• Women happier in relationships had even less stress.

Question 8

Slatcher (2010, 2016)

Strength and strain model of marriage

Answer 8

• Marital strength vs. strain impact on psych mechanisms.
• Outside stressors can negatively affect psych mechanisms.
• Impact on cognition, affect, and health behaviors.

Question 9

Epley & Schroeder (2014)

Train commuter study

Answer 9

• Examined happiness predictions during train ride.
• People predicted more positivity when not talking.
• Actual results: More positive when starting a conversation.

Question 10

Why do people choose solitude?

Answer 10

• People misunderstand consequences of social connection.
• Pluralistic ignorance: Shared belief others aren’t interested.
• Increase in happiness for both seeking and being sought.

Question 11

Baumeister & Leary (1995)

The need to belong

Answer 11

• Innate need to belong for survival.
• Loneliness similar to hunger and thirst.
• Inclusion associated with a healthy life; exclusion with an unhealthy one.

Question 12

What are the immediate responses to being ostracized?

Answer 12

• Need-threat model of social exclusion.
• Ostracism threatens fundamental needs.
• Similar neural systems involved in social and physical pain.

Question 13

Is there a relationship between social exclusion and aggression?

Answer 13

• Exclusion leads to aggression.
• Aggression linked to the need for control.
• Aggressing as a way to regain control.