Social Bandwidth: When and Why Are Social Interactions Energy Intensive?

Abstract

This manuscript identifies the characteristics of a social interaction or social event that make it energy intensive and explores the experience of recovering from an energy-intensive interaction. Study One ( N = 309) used an inductive approach to identify social interactions or events that were energy intensive. Study Two ( N = 120) used an experience sampling method to explore overall energy expense in everyday conversations ( N = 3,092). Communication episode, more choice to interact, less familiarity of partners, and greater feelings of connection and disconnection predicted energy intensiveness. Results suggest that people seek solitude after an energy-intensive interaction, and the disconnection felt in the interaction influences desire for company when alone. Overall, social exclusion and communication content are important components in explaining the multi-faceted nature of energy-intensive interactions.

Daily solitude and well‐being associations in older dyads: Evidence from daily life assessments

“…Solitude may serve different functions across the lifespan, and it may be experienced more positively in old age for multiple reasons (Hoppmann & Pauly, 2022). First, theories on social interactions highlight their energy intensity (Hall et al, 2023); social interactions may require more energy in old age as compared to earlier life phases creating an increased need of recovery and self‐care (Lang & Baltes, 1997; Luo et al, 2022). Second, older adults prioritize emotionally meaningful connections and may thus choose solitude over social interactions that are not meaningful (Birditt et al, 2019).…”