In the Flow of Life: Capturing Affective Socializing Dynamics Using a Wearable Sensor and Intensive Daily Diaries
Amy Zhang1, Bridget Goosby1, Jacob E Cheadle1
1The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Socius : Sociological Research for a Dynamic World
|February 7, 2024
Summary
This study shows that socializing with friends increases emotional arousal, while downtime with romantic partners or close friends may also be socially beneficial. This research explores affective dynamics in social interactions.
Area of Science:
- Sociology
- Psychology
- Affective Science
Background:
- Interpersonal socializing is crucial for sociological outcomes.
- Assessing affective dynamics during social interactions presents methodological challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To concurrently capture socializing behaviors and affective outcomes.
- To operationalize affect using valence and arousal dimensions.
- To link affective dynamics to different social contexts.
Main Methods:
- Pilot study with 118 participants.
- Combined intensive daily surveys with wearable sensor data.
- Tracked affective arousal and linked it to social interaction periods.
Main Results:
- Socializing predicted concurrent positive and negative affective valence.
- Socializing with groups of friends consistently increased affective arousal.
- Low arousal 'downtime' with close intimates may serve social functions.
Conclusions:
- Demonstrates a novel biosignaling approach for studying affective dynamics.
- Findings are broadly relevant to emotion-related sociological research.
- Highlights the multifaceted nature of social interaction and affect.
Keywords:
ambulatorybiosignalbiosocialinteraction ritual chain theorymicrosociologysocializingsociology of emotionwearableMore Related Videos
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