Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Imaginary Friends: Television Programs Can Fend Off Loneliness

Photo: By yourself, but not alone Flickering friends count for something. Lukasz Laska/iStock

From Scientific American:

Stomach growling, but have no time for a meal? A snack will do. Drowsy and unable to concentrate? A short nap can be reviving when a good night’s rest is unavailable. But what should you do when you are alone and feeling lonely?

New psychological research suggests that loneliness can be alleviated by simply turning on your favorite TV show. In the same way that a snack can satiate hunger in lieu of a meal, it seems that watching favorite TV shows can provide the experience of belonging without a true interpersonal interaction.

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