4B+Isolation

Place your citations (in MLA format) and explanations below. Each group member should include at least two citations.

Phoebe North

Research Project Annotations

Booth, Richard. “Loneliness as a Component of Psychiatric Disorders.” MedScape. WebMD, 2000. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .

The study “Loneliness as a Component of Psychiatric Disorders” is written by Richard Booth, PhD, professor of University of Western Ontario and author of several scholarly articles. Booth argues that loneliness is a multidimensional, complex condition that cannot be defined through a single standard definition. For instance, two individuals may both be diagnosed with chronic loneliness but show completely different symptoms. Loneliness shows different signs according to the setting, and can be the result of mental patterns, cognitive styles, situational problems, unrealistic expectancies, and and dysfunctional histories. Another argument is that voluntary solitude does not constitute loneliness. This is interesting, because as applied to Holden, he often chooses to distance himself to people. Chronic loneliness may therefore be the result of a deeper problem, and worsened by his antisocial tendencies. Furthermore, Holden’s history with Allie may cause attachment issues which make it difficult for him to build meaningful relationships.

Marano, Hara Estroff. “The Dangers of Loneliness.” Psychology Today. Sussex, 1 July 2003. Web. 28 Apr. 2014. .

“The Dangers of Loneliness” is written by Hara Marano, who is an expert and editor of a leading psychology magazine, Psychology Today, and author of a book on parenting. Marano argues that if humans do not receive an optimal amount of socialization, it can contribute to several health and mental problems. Although many people may feel lonely, chronic loneliness is the main disorder. Marano states that children who are chronically lonely are more likely to drop out of school, or resort to delinquency. In adults, loneliness is a primary cause of alcoholism and depression as well as numerous health risks like high blood pressure and stress. Holden Caulfield demonstrates many of these symptoms. For example, he is antisocial towards his classmates, and does not build healthy relationships. Furthermore, he frequently acts like a juvenile delinquent and cannot stay in school. Lastly, when he is lonely or depressed Holden goes to a bar and tries to drink. Clearly, Holden exemplifies the dangers of loneliness as described by Marano.

How social isolation hurts, and how to fight it. AARP, n.d. Web. 29 Apr. 2014.

. In the past 20-25 years, there has been a dramatic increase in the amount of people loving in isolation (living away from family, unmarried, etc.) Studies show that physical isolation is not the only factor, but whether someone feels isolated. Someone affected by isolation will stay isolated, will not contact or be contacted and will not have meaningful relationships with others. Social skill are lacking or non existent, social cues, etiquette, emotion. All are hard for the isolated to display.

Gale Encyclopedia of Public Health, Detroit: Gale, 2013, pp. 905-913. (Database)

http://galenet.galegroup.com

This database deals with the effects of suicide, behaviors of people who commit suicide or think of it, and the risk factors that connect with isolation. Risk factors including social isolation directly connect to suicide and is it more common for isolation to lead to a negative consequence rather than a good one. This connects to the book "The Catcher In The Rye" to the suicidal aspect of Holden.

Franzen, Alexandra. "The Benefits of Isolation" Poem, 2011

alexandrafranzen.com

The author uses strong language and metaphors to convey the positive effects of isolation. Although she is not straightforward about what they are, one can interpret that there is actually a good side to separating yourself from society and being alone. Isolating yourself is usually considered a bad thing but with this poem, I took back some things that are beneficial. For example, the lines, "...words that are your comfort, when your solace is the silence of the space between the ticking of the hands upon the clock," shows a positive light of isolation. comfort comes with isolation, the silence is the factor that will create "space" between the hands of time and isolation with provide more time for your life.

Harlow, Harry F., Robert O. Dodsworth, and Margaret K. Harlow. Total Social Isolation in Monkeys. N.p.: Department of Psychology Primate Laboratory and Regional Primate Research Center, U of Wisconsin, 1965. Print. Harry F. Harlow, Robert O. Dodsworth, and Margaret K. Harlow were accredited psychologist, who conducted most of their research of human behavior at University of Wisconsin-Madison. In this published report, they explored the impact of social isolation on rhesus monkeys due to their close relation to human psyche. They put several monkeys into isolation for a period of 3,6, or 12 months to see the impact of complete isolation on social development, once released back into an environment with other monkeys not put in isolation. This study compares each groups abilities to conform to social behaviors common for rhesus monkeys after being isolated for a specific amount of times. This study is one of a kind because the conditions/neglect the monkeys experienced were so harsh that the government took steps to prevent any further experiments that would give similar results. Holden socially isolated himself, and as he tried to reenter society he was unable to effectively socialize with others. His social development exemplified more aggression, as seen in some of the monkeys isolated in this experiment.

Robertson, Ian. “Socialization.” Society: A Brief Introduction. Illustrated ed. Macmillan, 1988. N. pag. Digital file.

Professor Ian Robertson is a neuroscientist, psychologist and an international expert on neuropsychology. In this reference book, he explores different reasons and results of social isolation. He goes in depth about children who are completely isolated, due to their parents doing, such as feral children. He, also, explores the idea of children isolated in orphanages or institutions and their lack of development of emotional connection to anyone their age or adults, which is carried throughout their lives. Robertson develops the idea that children in isolation will have difficulty seeing their “self.” This is seen in Holden, because he seems to be insecure about himself and unsure of his identity. Even though Holden was not an orphan or institutionalized, he was sent to various boarding schools and had little contact with him family. It is evident that Holden lacks the ability to emotionally connect to anyone his age or older.

//Psychology Today //. Leslie Becker Phelps, n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. . Loneliness is something that is in all of us at one time or another. Some people unfortunately deal with this for most of their lives. It’s hard to be by yourself for so long and these people are lonely forever. However, there is a way to overcome loneliness. Firstly, you need to be aware of your situation. You need to know how your body feels. People that deal with loneliness have a heavy chest or have a constriction in their throat. The second part is the acceptance. A majority of people try to run away from the situation of being lonely by doing something else like watching TV or playing a video game, sleeping, or working long hours so the individual doesn’t need to associate themselves with people so as a result, this is the hardest part. People feel that if they blame themselves for what has happened they can make the pain go away. The only way to solve this is by acknowledging what has happened to you. If you do that you will be able to make the decision of being aware. The last step of overcoming loneliness is compassion. Realize that other people feel lonely too. Everyone feels the sense of loneliness at some point, and we all deal with this. If you chose to see yourself with perspective, you should be good. If there is anyone in your life, it would be wise to try and reach out to that person. Have the courage to be able to pick up the phone and call that person. Being able to do that can make you emotionally stronger.

 //Psychology Today//. Karyn Hall, n.d. Web. 4 May 2014. .

This article is also about overcoming loneliness. It talks about another way people can cope with this situation. Firstly, accept the fact that wanting a friend is normal. In a way, that's how Holden was in "Catcher in the Rye". He always kept calling people like his teacher from his old school because he was all alone. Humans are naturally social so this is normal for people. Regardless of wanting to be with just one person or a group of people, wanting a friend doesn't mean that something is wrong with you. Secondly, try "dropping the mask". Stop trying to be someone your not. Don't try to be perfect, because no one is. If people can't accept who you are, they are not worth your time. It's exhausting to try to be someone else. Part of the connection with other people is to be who you are.Holden in the book is trying to be an older person that gets with girls but really, he is just an innocent young kid that really doesn't know what to do. Lastly, turning of electronics could also help. People that are alone try to have a life online and being solely focused on electronics. People use t.v to be comforting but at the end of the day, it is just not the right way to interact with people.