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By Rachel Welch
Have you ever stopped to consider where your happiness truly comes from? Maybe it’s in a favorite hobby, a rewarding career, or a comforting morning ritual. For many, joy is rooted in time spent with others. But when our usual social circles, family gatherings, and friendly meetups are replaced with stretches of solitude, it raises an interesting question: does the amount of social interaction we have really determine our happiness?
Humans are naturally social beings. Many studies over the decades suggest that our need for connection is one of the key traits that makes us human. This drive for relationships and interaction has become deeply ingrained in societies worldwide—sometimes bringing benefits, but in other cases, creating challenges.
Across cultures, social interaction is a shared human need. It helps us feel grounded, connected, and emotionally balanced. While all people crave some level of connection, different cultures approach it in unique ways. For example, American culture tends to emphasize independence, with relationships playing a supportive—rather than defining—role in personal identity.
One team of researchers explored this topic using a “false feedback” experiment the researchers studied a group of Asian Americans, African Americans, and European Americans participants. The goal was to see whether each group felt happier when others’ opinions about them were accurate on a personal level, or on a collective level (as part of a race, culture, or group). Results showed that European and African Americans valued accurate personal perceptions more highly—for example, “Bob” cared more about being seen correctly as an individual than as part of a group. In contrast, Asian Americans were happier when their collective identity was accurately perceived—“Anne” found more comfort knowing her group was represented accurately. In short, these cultures differed in how much they valued and identified with their social identity.
Many lessons about social interaction are taught from a young age. In American society, many schools use social time, playtime, and “free” time as a reward. This teaches us from a young age that social time is a good and positive thing, something that was motivating. Even in adulthood, many people operate on a similar structure. “I can go meet my friends for dinner once I’ve finished my work day,” and “I can socialize at the water cooler after I’ve sent this email.” Social interaction is a stimulating, rewarding, and overall positive thing!
Some studies have confirmed that the act of socializing with another actually changes what is happening in the brain. Certain sociological and psychological observations have confirmed that when a person is engaging socially with another, they will engage in one or more of the following:
Research shows that the type of social interaction can change what happens in the brain. In one study, brain activity became more synchronized when two people interacted face-to-face compared to when they couldn’t see each other. This suggests that in-person interactions may provide greater social benefits, even later in life. Higher brain synchrony was also linked to stronger feelings of connection, better social awareness, and improved emotional regulation. These findings reinforce the idea that meaningful social interaction plays a key role in maintaining healthy social and emotional skills.
One item which surprised me, is that a primary driver of many social interaction studies has also been the topic of aggression. This might be due to the fact that aggression is a common marker of social differences in animal species, but uniquely is studied as a part of human social behavior.
Research on aggression has led to neuroscience being used as a treatment for deviant social behavior. While aggression may not be a fundamental part of many social disorders, its research has led us to discover things like serotonin reuptake inhibitors. These are otherwise known as SSRI’s, which are commonly used to treat anxiety and depression. This research has also led to further knowledge on the impact of oxytocin. As we mentioned above, this “love hormone” is an important bonding agent between parents and their offspring. Apparently, it is also important in the social behavior of protection in social groups, and even has the ability to increase fondness of others, as shown in some human trials.
Science and our own life experiences make it clear: social interaction plays a big role in happiness. Like many other species, humans need a certain level and type of connection to develop normally and live well.
Research shows that loneliness can raise stress hormones like cortisol, which increases the risk of health problems and chronic stress. In other words, social connection isn’t just important for mental health—it’s vital for physical health too.
Consider solitary confinement, a punishment used in prisons for those who break rules. It involves complete isolation in a silent, often dark cell, without contact or stimulation. Unlike standard confinement, where some interaction is possible, this extreme isolation is also used in certain mental health facilities and, in rare cases, with children.
It’s telling that society uses isolation as one of the harshest punishments imaginable. The practice, dating back to the early 1800s, is seen by many experts—like Dr. J. Wesley Boyd—as unethical and even torturous. Boyd’s research found that people who endured solitary confinement often struggled to reintegrate into society, felt emotionally numb, and experienced anxiety and depression long after release.
This shows how deeply the lack of healthy social interaction can harm us. Even for those living “normal” lives, our happiness and well-being can still be shaped by how much and how meaningfully we connect with others.
Obviously, the nature and type of social interaction will impact how we feel when leaving a social situation. If a social interaction is positive, it will lead to a more positive bond and benefit. This kind of positive social interaction is one that we, as social humans, thrive on.
Social interaction is fundamental, from the day we are born, to our elderly years, and numerous studies have confirmed the benefits to elderly individuals. Those that maintain strong relationships with family, friends, peers, or even a pet, tend to be healthier, happier, and live longer.
Social interaction has a super ability to affect our happiness. From a chemical level at birth, to impacting how our brains and bodies behave in each encounter, social interaction is a powerful influence on our lives and overall well being. I’m sure you are thankful, as I am, that we are returning to a point in society where social interaction is more possible than it was during the pandemic in 2020. Hopefully, you are making great use of the regained freedom to socialize, by feeding your brain and body’s need for social relationships!
If you are seeking new ways to feed your body and brain’s social cravings, consider engaging in activities that are also healthy in other ways! Taking a walk with a friend to soak up some vitamin D and boost your mood! Visit a dog park, museum, or dine at a restaurant with others. There are many small ways to get some valuable social exposure. Even if you are more introverted, studies show us that even a small dose of social time can make a big impact!
So, I hereby encourage you to go forth, be social, and reap the happy and healthy benefits!
