Sociology Students' Research on Loneliness

ANNOUNCER: Part 3. You will hear two sociology students called Tamara and Dev discussing their research for a presentation on loneliness. First, you have some time to look at questions 21 to 26. Now listen carefully and answer questions 21 to 26.

TAMARA: Shall we go through the notes we've made from our research into loneliness now, Dev?

DEV: Ok, Tamara. Ah, it's been a real eye opener. I had no idea that loneliness has been increasing steadily for the last 20 years.

TAMARA: Ah, I know. And it's the same all over the world, the downside of a modern lifestyle, I guess.

DEV: Did you come to any conclusions about what the reasons for the increase are?

TAMARA: Well, I assumed it was mainly an issue for the elderly, but in fact it's something which affects young people just as much.

DEV: Mmm. So nothing really to do with longer life spans. Um, what about social media? In my case, far from making me feel isolated, it actually does the opposite.

TAMARA: It definitely does more good than harm. I'd say loneliness has a lot to do with the way cities are designed. People living in high-rise flats with not much opportunity to speak to their neighbors.

DEV: I think you're right.

TAMARA: Another possible reason is that people are having fewer children, and don't live in large extended family groups.

DEV: But in this country anyway, that all changed decades ago, and yet loneliness is a more recent problem.

TAMARA: I suppose so. A more plausible explanation is that people are having to move around for work, and often end up living miles away from their family and friends.

DEV: That's true.

TAMARA: Looking at the studies on health risks and loneliness, there are claims that loneliness has as much impact as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

DEV: Or similar to the risks caused by obesity. But I'm not sure there's enough evidence for some of these claims.

TAMARA: Well, what about that one in Finland, which showed that loneliness increased the risk of cancer? By about 10 percent, and those findings have been supported by other studies too.

DEV: You're right about that one. I was actually thinking of the studies on dementia. Some found no association between loneliness and dementia, and others found the opposite.

TAMARA: Not exactly reliable then. There's been a lot of research on cardiovascular disease, and whether loneliness contributes to that.

DEV: Yes, I read that it was hard to reach a judgment, as the definition of loneliness varied quite a lot.

DEV: And the responses from participants were too subjective, but there's no doubt that loneliness contributes to a weakened immune system.

TAMARA: Unquestionably, the data on that is sound.

DEV: What did you think about the evolutionary theory of loneliness?

TAMARA: Well, I thought the idea that loneliness evolved because it motivated people to be with other people quite convincing. Survival often depended on group cooperation.

DEV: But I don't think there's enough evidence to claim that there must be a group of neurons in our brains which influence social behavior by making us feel bad when we're alone.

TAMARA: There are a few studies which support the theory, but not conclusively enough. More evidence is needed.

DEV: Mmm. And anyway, this theory is not really useful when it comes to solving the problem of loneliness today.

TAMARA: True.

ANNOUNCER: Before you hear the rest of the discussion, you have some time to look at questions 27 to 30. Now listen and answer questions 27 to 30.

DEV: Should we look at the relationship between loneliness and mental health now?

TAMARA: Ok, so loneliness and depression are clearly related, and that's been recognized by various governments around the world.

TAMARA: But unlike depression, loneliness has no recognized clinical form.

DEV: There's no available diagnosis or effective treatments, and that's not likely to change.

TAMARA: I don't think so either. I was thinking we should start our presentation with an example from our own experience.

TAMARA: I'd like to talk about how lonely I was when I started university, being away from home for the first time and all that.

DEV: Good idea. Everyone will be able to relate to that, although a lot of students were probably too embarrassed to admit to it.

TAMARA: Yeah, we could discuss ways of dealing with loneliness as well, like just talking to strangers.

DEV: Loads of studies have shown that interactions with shop assistants and bar staff make people feel more optimistic and relaxed.

TAMARA: I don't know about that, but it must make people feel more connected with their community.

DEV: True, although you need to be a certain kind of person to be able to just strike up a conversation.

TAMARA: Good point. We should say something about solitude, and how being alone and being lonely aren't the same thing.

TAMARA: It's strange the way some people can't stand being by themselves, while others love it.

DEV: Yeah, the research shows a certain amount of solitude is beneficial for well-being.

DEV: But being alone isn't something I actually like. I'd never choose to go on holiday alone, for example.

TAMARA: Me neither.

DEV: Well let's not...

ANNOUNCER: That is the end of part 3. You now have 30 seconds to check your answers to part 3.