Journal of Neuroscience Study Finds Psychological Importance of Face-to-Face Interaction

Following a pandemic filled with online social events and strict gathering restraints, many Americans are now accustomed to socializing, working, and spending leisure time online. Bonding in-person, however, has strong mental, physical, and emotional benefits originating in distinct brain stimulation.

What We Know:

• Evidence using EEG (electroencephalogram) brain scans suggests real-life socialization activates stronger connections and comfort levels compared to digital socialization. The study created three groups: one that was exposed to photos of a person, another that was exposed to a television show with a person in it, and the last actually meeting a person. EEGs were taken for members of each group both before and after the exposure, measuring familiarity and identity activity in the brain.
• Researchers discovered a high familiarity quality for the physical interaction group, a low familiarity quality for the group exposed to a TV show, and nonexistent familiarity for the group exposed to only photos of a person. Strong familiarity is tied to faster and more intense connections, demonstrating the importance of face-to-face interaction for building relationships.
• The face-to-face interaction group only spent 3 hours with a person while the other groups spent 20 hours watching a person on television or 20 hours looking at photos, yet the face-to-face group still made stronger connections. Exemplified is the rapid familiarity and connection built between two people interacting in person.
• In the digital age, as well as during COVID, online communication is normal. Consequentially, with in-person communication falling second, communicators miss out on reading body language and picking up on nearly unrecognizable facial changes. In-person communication is especially important for children, many of which have been out of school due to pandemic safety measures. Face-to-face communication helps children build skills that enhance their socioemotional development.

Face-to-face meetups provide the dopamine and oxytocin that support trust, bonding, and connection to others. For overall health, wellbeing, and happiness, socializing in real life is a scientifically significant aspect.