Can a friend of a friend of a friend (that is, by three degrees of separation) affect how happy you are? According to the research reported in this article, it is quite possible, and increases with the level of happiness of those closer to you.
- Which is more contagious and lasts longer... happiness or unhappiness?
- What other health issues were being studied using the similar methodology?
- Have you noticed the "contagion level" of certain emotions when socializing? Have you ever left a social event or quit an online group because the emotional temperature didn't match your own?
- How purposeful would you say you are in seeking out social networks that match your emotional life?
- What is your reaction to the concept that your own mood has far-reaching effects to others you may not even know?
Happiness is contagious in social networksIt appears that there's new proof that "birds of a feather flock together"!
http://www.cnn.com/2008/HEALTH/12/05/happiness.social.network/index.html
-Jeff
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4 comments:
This may be true to most people; but typically, it still depends on an individual's perspective in life. Other friends' happiness may have a negative effect on some people who have an insecure or jealous personality. For example, I know of a friend who decided to omit another friend from her Facebook because she couldn't stand seeing that person's happy faces on photos i.e. at parties, on a vacation in Hawaii, etc. Pretty shallow huh?! Instead of the positive vibe, that other person's happiness brought a negative effect on her; it was the reverse.
This may be true to most people; but typically, it still depends on an individual's perspective in life. Other friends' happiness may have a negative effect on some people who have an insecure or jealous personality. For example, I know of a friend who decided to omit another friend from her Facebook because she couldn't stand seeing that person's happy faces on photos i.e. at parties, on a vacation in Hawaii, etc. Pretty shallow huh?! Instead of the positive vibe, that other person's happiness brought a negative effect on her; it was the reverse.
I think this article is awesome! I have always thought that a smile is contagious just like a yawn. I didn't realize though how it can affect people your not necessarily directly in contact with. This article goes to show that it pays to be happy. I surround myself with happy people and usually I am a happy person, so it makes sense. If I am around someone with a negative outlook that also influences my mood, I find myself complaining more than usual and not smiling as much. I think its true that if you are a pessimistic person you may not be as easily swayed then that of an optimistic, but I still think it will have a positive affect. I work with some very unhappy people, yet I greet all my patients with a smile and a sunny disposition and I find that they are smiling back at me. To be honest who does it hurt to try and be happy instead of unhappy? No one. It is amazing that someone close to you can make you 15% more likely to be happy and that some close to your friend can be 10% and their friend still 6%. Think about it, you can have a positive impact on some one you have never even met!
I think the social networks have brought positive connections between people thorough the visualization of pictures, or reading of comments, wherein different emotions are spread. According to James Fowler “taking control of your happiness can positively affect others”, so great self esteem is expressed in a Facebook profile; for example, to be part of the happiness, the users show their best pictures in their profile. Also, people will leave funny or positive comments in order to get feedback and reinforce that happiness.
American society has a busy life style, where the routine is work, school, home errands and sleep. Therefore, it become difficult for some people to socialize and communicate with their friends or loved ones. I have realized that Facebook invites people to look for old friends, for who they have great memories, so the friendship may continue. In my personal experience I had the great opportunity to know more about my relatives whom are far away and I have not seen for years. Facebook is a great network to share happiness and to sympathize with your distant loved ones; it definitely helps to make and maintain family connections.
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