All alone in the world

[CaptainHaplo]

Many groups have studied the psycological stresses that result from isolation or an extremely limited social group over extended time periods. Nasa is one example.

Some people can maintain stability - most can not. It has little to do with your "normal" level of socialization, it has much more to do with your ability to focus and block out distraction. By blocking out the need for social interaction with focus on another task, a person can maintain significant stability without perceivable end.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

Many groups have studied the psycological stresses that result from isolation or an extremely limited social group over extended time periods. Nasa is one example.

Some people can maintain stability - most can not. It has little to do with your "normal" level of socialization, it has much more to do with your ability to focus and block out distraction. By blocking out the need for social interaction with focus on another task, a person can maintain significant stability without perceivable end.

But for how long?? Even if you put a human in a "all alone..." experiment, this person know that there are people outside this "experiment"
and they can return to them.

Markus

[CaptainHaplo]

That is easy to say as we sit here, but take a look at the stanford prison experiment to see how that theory holds up.....

You can intellectually "know" that your in a controlled experiment, but its what you do with that knowledge that matters. The above was just one example of how quickly "fact" is lost in the psychotrauma of experience.

[mapuc]

Originally Posted by CaptainHaplo

That is easy to say as we sit here, but take a look at the stanford prison experiment to see how that theory holds up.....

You can intellectually "know" that your in a controlled experiment, but its what you do with that knowledge that matters. The above was just one example of how quickly "fact" is lost in the psychotrauma of experience.

Do you have any link to some of thise experiments-would like to read about them.

have to read more about it, before I can reply your statement.

Markus

[CaptainHaplo]

http://www.prisonexp.org/

A good place to start. Just remember, this only has bearing on the issue of "knowing" cerebrally that something is an experiment, vs internalizing the situation.

As for isolation experiments...

Here is a good one.

lsda.jsc.nasa.gov/books/ground/chambers.pdf

Enjoy the reading!

EDIT: Also - look up the Mars 500 experiement. 6 men in isolation for 520 days.......

All experiments are based on enclosed or restricted spaces.
They don't apply to a situation where you are the only person on the whole Planet.
While on the Planet?
You can never be certain that you are the only one and the search for others is going to be enuff to drive you nearly forever.
Unless your a weak minded person.
In which case you whould will lay down and die any way.

[August]

There are many people who live years with little or no social interaction. I think it's quite doable provided a suitably minded person has a task to keep themselves occupied.