Pathways / The Science of Loneliness and Belonging

The Science of Loneliness and Belonging

Why belonging matters as much as it does, and what loneliness does to a person. A route through connection, isolation, and the bids that rebuild it.

Belonging is the felt sense of being accepted and mattering to others.

Social support is the care and help our relationships provide when we need it.

Social isolation is a lack of meaningful social contact and connection.

Loneliness is distress from a gap between the connection you have and the connection you want.

Ostracism is the pain of being ignored or excluded by others.

Rejection sensitivity is anxiously expecting and overreading rejection in others.

A bid for connection is a small reach that asks to be met.

Co-regulation is borrowing another person's steadiness until your own returns.