The importance of social connection

Webinar organized by Jean Decety, 2021-2022 Paris IAS Fellow, as part of his "Social neuroscience" series

Human beings have a pre-potent drive to form and maintain lasting, positive, and significant relationships. Affiliation and nurturant social relationships are essential for an individual’s physical and psychological welfare across their life span. Disruption of social connections and chronic social isolation are serious risk factors for morbidity and mortality, even after controlling for known biological risk factors, social status, and baseline measures of health.

With the participation of Daniel Benamouzig (sociologist) – SciencesPo & CNRS.

Recommended readings:

- Kanai, R., Bahrami, B., Duchaine, B., … & Rees, G. (2012). Brain structure links loneliness to social perception. Current Biology, 22(20), 1975-1979.

- Silk, J. B., Beehner, J. C., Bergman, T. J., Crockford, C., ... & Cheney, D. L. (2010). Strong and consistent social bonds enhance the longevity of female baboons. Current Biology, 20(15), 1359-1361.

- Steptoe, A., Shankar, A., Demakakos, P., & Wardle, J. (2013). Social isolation, loneliness, and all-cause mortality in older men and women. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(15), 5797-5801.