Bar-Ilan University study reveals how being alone can weaken social identity, with broad implications for group processes and societal cohesiveness

A new study sheds light on the effects of aloneness on group processes, demonstrating that simply being alone can significantly weaken group identity and esteem. Led by Prof. Liad Uziel, from the Department of Psychology at Bar-Ilan University, together with Martina Seemann, from Chemnitz University of Technology in Germany, the study was recently published in the British Journal of Psychology.

While aloneness is a prevalent and universal human experience, its effects on social identity have remained largely unexplored. This study offers new insights into how this basic social condition influences broader social dynamics.

The research involved five experiments with 1,312 participants and explored how aloneness affects group-level outcomes, showing that aloneness can cause individuals to feel less connected to their groups and devalue them.

The research suggests that when individuals focus on themselves while alone – referred to as the ‘alone mindset’ – they are more likely to perceive their groups as less valuable and feel a diminished sense of connection. In contrast, thinking about being with others or in social contexts can enhance group esteem and strengthen social identity.

“We were surprised to find that even just the mindset of being alone had significant implications for group processes,” said Prof. Uziel, the lead researcher. “This study helps us understand how even fleeting moments of aloneness can impact broader social behavior, including how we relate to our groups.”

The research further demonstrated that an alone mindset was associated with behavioral shift and not just attitudinal shift. Participants allocated lower resources to their group in this condition. This effect was similar to the response after social exclusion, providing evidence that the mere thought of being alone can lead to social alienation, even though being alone is not necessarily associated with negative feelings.

In addition to its psychological significance, the study is timely in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced many people into physical isolation and increased the prevalence of online, impersonal communication methods. As society grapples with rising social isolation and its impact on mental health, the study offers important insights into how aloneness can contribute to broader social challenges such as loneliness and alienation. Moreover, the study relates to the impact of remote work on team-building efforts in the workplace.

“This research is especially relevant today, as people find themselves more physically alone than ever before,” said Prof. Uziel. “Understanding how aloneness impacts group identity could be key to addressing the social alienation and loneliness that are increasingly prevalent in modern society.”

The study’s findings have significant implications for both individuals and society as a whole. It suggests that aloneness is not merely a personal experience but a state that can influence group dynamics and contribute to societal fragmentation.

The research is part of ongoing studies into the effects of aloneness on social behavior, with future investigations focusing on how being alone impacts relationships with out-groups.

This study was supported by a grant to Prof. Uziel from the Israel Science Foundation.