After a long time of research and frustration, I can finally announce that I have decided on a topic and why question. The question I chose to answer is: Why are Americans becoming more socially isolated?
What I am trying to figure out is why the average American is becoming more lonely. People now do things by themselves more often than doing things in groups of people. As a result people have fewer good friends and the sense of the community as whole is becoming lost. For example, adults spend most of their time working, and have no time for dinner parties with friends or family but instead eat fast food. Instead of spending family time, kids spend their time in their rooms playing video games alone.
What do you think about this topic? Any answers to the question or personal experiences would be great to share.
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Brian,
ReplyDeleteYou may want to read this Newsweek article:
Lonely Planet--Despite our inter-connectedness, we're now more alone than ever. By Johannah Cornblatt | Aug 21, 2009
http://www.newsweek.com/id/213088
Cornblatt mentions John T. Cacioppo, a neuroscientist at the University of Chicago and coauthor of Loneliness: Human Nature and the Need for Social Connection. He is actually coming to New Trier to speak:
Wednesday, April 21, Widening Our Circle of Compassion: Human Nature and
the Need for Social Connection, 7:00-9:00 PM, New Trier HS/Winnetka, Gaffney
Auditorium, 385 Winnetka Ave.
John Cacioppo, Ph.D.,Distinguished Service Professor and Director of the Center for Cognitive and Social Neuroscience at The University of Chicago, founder of the field of social neuroscience, and a world expert on both perceived and real social isolation, will explain how we as a species have evolved a powerful, meaning-making "social brain." Using sophisticated brain-imaging studies, analysis of blood pressure, immune response, stress hormones,behavior and gene expression, Dr. Cacioppo shows how humans are deeply intertwined and interconnected, physiologically and psychologically. We are hard-wired for interdependence,and Dr. Cacioppo's decades-long interdisciplinary research reveals that loneliness is a painful
social cue that prompts us to re-engage with our high-quality relationships. The pain of
loneliness triggers a fear response that disrupts thinking, emotion regulation, will power, and perseverance, as well as our ability to decode social signals and exercise social skills, potentially affecting our very DNA.
Thanks Ms. Gressel your the best. I will be attending the event.
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