A while back, we posted an article that discussed the idea that relationship breakups might be contagious. Seems evidence backs up this fact. But now it seems that just like we can “catch” divorce from our peer group , we can also catch emotions – both positive and negative.
According to the SMH…
.People can catch emotions the same way they catch the common cold, a Harvard University study has found.
The study, published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, involved the analysis of data collected from 1880 people who lived in Framingham, Massachusetts.
It found emotions were transmitted between people in large social networks. Those who took part in the study were work colleagues, friends or family living within 3.2 kilometres of one another.
They completed two exams that allowed researchers to determine if they were content, discontent or in a neutral emotional state. The results of the exams were analysed by a mathematical model, similar to models used to determine the transmission of infectious diseases, computer viruses and rumours.
Eric Vanman, a psychology lecturer at the University of Queensland, said the spread of emotions could help groups of people prepare for a common threat. ”If a village is about to be wiped out, it might be good for people to have the same fearful reaction so that they can quickly flee the impending danger in a co-ordinated manner.”
I totally believe this. I am very suseptable to other people’s ‘stuff’. Always have been. I am very attuned to the energy and emotions of people and even places – for example, if I’m at some function where people are doing drugs, I seem to take on that edgy energy and it feels dreadful.
Similarly, I’ve experienced the way one person – or a couple – can infect a work environment and how their negativity can infect the whole office. That too feels dreadful. I’m better than I used to be, though. I used to be a Sham-Wow which was really inconvenient.
Can you relate? Are you a sponge? Do you pick up other people’s stuff?
Top Comments
So a few thoughts enter into my mind when I read this post...
1. Is seems to me that this "catching emotions" is based quite possibly around how emotive or empathetic one is.
2. Which then leads me to ask the question, are we more emotionally mature if we are more susceptible to another's emotions? OR
3. Are we more mature emotionally if we are as we are able to recognise their emotion, without it impacting on our own emotional state?
For myself, I'm generally not susceptible to other's emotions unless it's anger. However, movies and books REALLY get to me. I find myself smiling when the actors do, or crying hysterically. Creepy music... I just can't watch the screen!!
we're a bit alike on this....as for your question i don't think you can speak of "maturity"about adults. they are all mature in their own ways. i had a great explanation as to how nature needs empathy by josieY, see below, but both states are useful.
I know i am able to save the life of a child by jamming my hand in his throat to remove pieces of glass, while his mother wails , hands in the air, motionless. taking a step back from emotions in a crisis can be extremely useful.
being empathetic has its value, as stated by josieY.
i think the world needs all of us.
ok, so, what? emotions running through walls and infecting your neighbours? maybe i'm a bit immune to emotions and that is why i don't even get what you are all talking about , but man....contagious emotions???
edit: ok i have read a few comments, and i'm truly puzzled. how can you guys be affected by other people's emotions? if you were living the same one at the same time then you guys could have an understanding of each other's feelings but how on earth do you manage to not have the slightest doubt about what another person is feeling?
yes i know my brain is different than yours. But there is such a thing as "theory of mind"that you NTs are supposed to have, and us aspies are supposed to lack, and that is defined by having the knowledge that other people are different entities with feelings different than ours. i'm starting to think this theory of mind thing really is a sort of delusion that you all share, of being capable of entering each other's minds.that's not realistic!!
ok seems i can't edit: i meant: you guys lack the theory of mind that you accuse us of lacking.and instead have that delusion of mind reading.i find it as weird as any kind of magical thinking to be honest...
ok clarinette, I have no idea what you are on about. who is "us" and "you guys" and I haven't read all the posts here, but haven't seen anything about mind-reading.
what are NT's and what are aspies? A I missing something? Please explain. :)
Dunno about NTs but I think aspies is people aspirers syndrome?
thanks Faybian. I googled it and found that NT's are neurotypical people and aspies have aspergers syndrome. kinda makes things clearer...
clarinette, I think I know where you are going now, but it's not about mind reading or magic, it's just about being effected by other people's moods or energy.