Need Comfort? Grab Your Smartphone
Who hasn't felt better driving down a dark street knowing you have your cell phone ? Now a new study says smartphones may also act like a digital security blanket in stressful situations, according to newswise.com. But its possession, not use, of a mobile phone that counteracts feelings of isolation, a University of California, Irvine, (UCI)-led study finds. Not only can your smartphone serve as your wallet, watch and map, it can also be a comfort . In this new study, researchers found that when people are in awkward social situations, having their phones with them offers comfort and helps relieve feelings of isolation. “Our results suggest that the mere presence of a phone, not necessarily actually using it, can buffer against the negative experience and effects of social exclusion,” says lead author John Hunter , a UCI Ph.D. candidate in psychology & social behavior. “It could be that possessing your phone is a reminder of your support sys...