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Loneliness, Social Skills, and Social Perception

University of Rochester

Harry T. Reis

University of Rochester

Previous studies have investigated loneliness from primarily one of three traditions: social skills, perceptions of others, and sex-role orientation. How do these variables affect loneliness? Past research addresses their independent effects, making it impossible to know if there are any single or multiple pathways to loneliness. The present study was concerned with the conceptual interdependence of these factors; that is, whether they have unique or joint efforts. Two other issues were also of interest. First, because as previously shown, lonely persons hold negative perceptions of new acquaintances and people in general, we sought to extend this phenomenon to close others. Second, we assessed a wider range of social skills than have formerly been examined in order to specify which particular social skills are most relevant to loneliness. First-year college roommate pairs participated in the study. Individuals completed questionnaires assessing themselves and their roommate. Results showed that lonelier subjects were more deficient in relationship formation and maintenance skills, and held more negative perceptions of their roommates. Social skills inadequacies and negativity produced both unique and joint efforts, making them both important in loneliness. Finally, androgynous subjects were less lonely and appeared to possess two sets of traits both valuable in avoiding loneliness-namely social assertion and acceptance and responsiveness to others.

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