The Loneliness Effect: How Brain Scans Unveil Unique Perception
Originally Published 2 years ago — by EurekAlert
A study published in Psychological Science reveals that lonely individuals process the world in unique and idiosyncratic ways compared to non-lonely individuals. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), researchers found that lonelier individuals exhibited more dissimilar brain processing patterns. This lack of neural similarity makes it difficult for lonely individuals to establish social connections and contributes to their feelings of isolation. The study suggests that idiosyncratic processing may be a risk factor for loneliness, regardless of the number of friends or social connections one has. Further research will explore how lonely individuals process specific situations and contexts differently.