Forging the Friendship Network
In Networks 2040, the topic of balanced relationships was addressed. A relationship is balance if it contains a (+, +, +) or a (+, -,-). The triangle of all friends is inherently balanced as everyone has a positive relationship with each other. The triangle with two pairs of not friends and one pair of friends is balanced because there is one pair of friends and through their friendship then hone a common enemy/not friend.
However, how does relate to reality? Many of us have friends, some are closer than others. A study in the Personality and Social Psychology Review explored the effect of friendships on our health. Personality and Social Psychology Review (PSPR) is the first magazine for original theoretical papers and conceptual review articles spanning all areas of personality and social psychology. It was found that friendship actually contributes far more to our well being than was previously thought. This paper brings up the idea as well that those negatives (not friends in the balance lesson) could actually be good friends who have become overextended. That may have caused them to become “toxic people, one-uppers, frenemies, leeches and unsupportive friends.” This paper emphasizes that friendships help us to “thrive physically and mentally.” It is important to understand the underlying factors and contribute to these friendship social networks. In other words, what makes a strong tie, what causes a weak tie and how can the effect of other friends affect someone and even other friends? So how can friendships affect you physically. Let’s think of an example. If you are not physically fit and suffer health issues because of it, certain active friends can encourage you to make a change. Maybe they take you to run with them or get you to eat more healthily. This can result in a physical change. For mental effects, just the companionship with someone else does wonders for the mind and well being. Friends can be a support network in dealing with stress, learn new skills, and to explore talents. It is interesting to think how this all ties back to the balanced social networks.
Is there a quantifiable way that the effect of friends on oneself can be measured? Medicine journal “found that the mortality risk associated with a lack of a strong social network was comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes every day, or more than 6 alcoholic drinks a day.” This is quite a staggering message. Due to this, there have been many efforts to push for health campaigns regarding friendships. Mental health has been given the backburner in a lot of instances. Physical diseases and illnesses have had much attention but mental health has not.
So what does this matter in the grand scheme of things? Being students at Cornell or even other University, it is easy to see many who are stressed out. These people could use the support of a friendship network for motivation and to help their well being. Let’s push for positively balanced relationships (+,+,+) rather than (+,-,-). Remember that those not friends/enemies could have been friends at one point so let’s try and rekindle those relationships. We know the harmful effects of lacking friendship connections (15 cigarettes every day, or more than 6 alcoholic drinks). Be the bigger person and step up to turn an enemy into a friend. You could be doing both yourself and them a huge favor healthwise, mentally and physically. Maybe the unbalanced (-,-,-) relationship is unbalanced for a reason? It definitely isn’t mentally or socially healthy.
Article referenced: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/02/friends-thrive_n_5723746.html