Reconstructing social networks of Late Glacial and Holocene hunter–gatherers to understand cultural evolution

Culture is increasingly being framed as a driver of human phenotypes and behaviour. Yet very little is known about variations in the patterns of past social interactions between humans in cultural evolution. The archaeological record, combined with modern evolutionary and analytical approaches, provides a unique opportunity to investigate broad-scale patterns of cultural change. Prompted by evidence that a population's social connectivity influences cultural variability, in this article, we revisit traditional approaches used to infer cultural evolutionary processes from the archaeological data. We then propose that frameworks considering multi-scalar interactions (from individuals to populations) over time and space have the potential to advance knowledge in cultural evolutionary theory. We describe how social network analysis can be applied to analyse diachronic structural changes and test cultural transmission hypotheses using the archaeological record (here specifically from the Marine Isotope Stage 3 ca 57–29 ka onwards). We argue that the reconstruction of prehistoric networks offers a timely opportunity to test the interplay between social connectivity and culture and ultimately helps to disentangle evolutionary mechanisms in the archaeological record. This article is part of a discussion meeting issue ‘The emergence of collective knowledge and cumulative culture in animals, humans and machines’.

Challenges of Implementing the PRISM 2.0 Trial for Supporting Social Connectivity Through Technology

Following the success of the Personal Reminder Information and Social Management (PRISM) trial, which found that a specially designed computer system for older adults can enhance social connectivity and reduce loneliness among older adults at risk for social isolation, the PRISM 2.0 trial sought to replicate and extend these results to a new technology platform (tablet rather than desktop) with expanded social features and diverse populations of older adults, including older adults living in rural areas, assisted living communities, and senior housing. This symposium discusses the aims of the trial conducted by the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE), challenges encountered (including challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic), and solutions to those challenges. S. Czaja will begin with an overview of the PRISM 2.0 system and the trial. J. Sharit will discuss challenges encountered working within the context of assisted living facilities and with impaired participants. This will be followed by a discussion of technical challenges encountered during the course of the trial presented by N. Charness. W. Rogers will present training issues involved (both with respect to participants and assessors). Finally, W. Boot will describe challenges encountered with measuring and quantifying technology use during the trial. Lessons learned are applicable to many types of technology interventions administered in diverse contexts. D. Plude, Deputy Director in the Division of Behavioral and Social Research of NIA, will serve as discussant.

Understanding the Role of Communication Technology in Facilitating Social Connectivity and Addressing Loneliness

In the United States, two out of five adults report feelings of loneliness. The evolvement of communication technologies presents a promising potential in helping improve social connectivity and address the experience of loneliness. However, the sense of presence (embodiment) users are able to achieve through the technologies can vary depending on their abilities and functions. The present study identified user characteristics associated with an interest to adopt telepresence technologies (e.g., videoconferencing, smart displays, robots) across various levels of embodiment. The data for this study were collected using a Qualtrics survey which was distributed via Amazon Mechanical Turk. The participants recruited for this study were between the ages of 18-78 years old, constituting a total sample size of 384 participants. The data were analyzed using four logistics regression models. The dependent variables aimed to identify participants' interest to adopt telepresence technologies across varying embodiment levels. Across the lifespan older adults were significantly more likely to report lower rates of overall loneliness than young and middle-aged adults. Our findings indicate that those interested in adopting communication technologies with higher levels of embodiment had significantly higher odds of reporting being divorced or widowed (OR=4.12, p<.05), reside in a rural community (OR=2.20, p<.05), and report higher rates of emotional loneliness (OR=1.20, p<.05). Across the four models, there was no significant difference in participants' interest to adopt telepresence technologies. These results suggest that the sense of presence achieved across the various types of communication technologies may help address feelings of loneliness and support healthy aging.

Challenges of Implementing the PRISM 2.0 Clinical Trial With Assisted Living and Impaired Participants

The PRISM 2.0 clinical trial examined the benefits of a software system, implemented on a computer tablet, which was designed to support access to information, engagement, and social connectivity among older people. Participants across three sites were recruited from rural locations, senior living housing facilities, and assisted living facilities (ALFs) and correspondingly randomized into either the Prism or control (tablet computer without the PRISM system) conditions. In this talk, we focus on the challenges associated with including ALF participants at key stages of the trial. These stages included telephone prescreening, baseline assessment, training on the system, and 6-, 9-, and 12-month follow-up assessments. Inability to meet inclusion criteria related to cognitive and sensory-motor considerations was a common problem, as was the ability to sustain attention during the training sessions. Recommendations for recruitment and retaining older adults in ALFs for these types of studies will be offered.

Social Media Are a Powerful Distractor for the Vast Majority of Adolescents

Social media are often believed to challenge adolescents’ ability to focus and sustain attention. While existing research has shown that some adolescents experience more social media-related distraction than others, the explanations for these differences remain largely unknown. The current study investigated two social connectivity factors (fear of missing out [FoMO] and friendship accessibility expectations) and two disconnectivity factors (self-control strategies and parental control strategies) that may explain differences in social media-related distraction. Using a three-week experience sampling study (N = 300; 21,970 within-person assessments), we found that the vast majority of adolescents (77%) experienced social media-related distraction. Contrary to expectations, none of the connectivity and disconnectivity factors explained differences in social media-related distraction. However, adolescents with high FoMO and friendship accessibility expectations spent more time using social media and were more distracted. Conversely, adolescents who more often used self-control strategies were less distracted. Altogether, the findings indicate that social media are a powerful distractor most adolescents seem to struggle with.

‘It’s Easily the Lowest I’ve Ever, Ever Got to’: A Qualitative Study of Young Adults’ Social Isolation during the COVID-19 Lockdowns in the UK

(1) Background: Social connectivity is key to young people’s mental health. Local assets facilitate social connection, but were largely inaccessible during the pandemic. This study consequently investigates the social isolation of young adults and their use of local assets during the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK. (2) Methods: Fifteen semi-structured Zoom interviews were undertaken with adults aged 18–24 in the UK. Recruitment took place remotely, and transcripts were coded and analysed thematically. (3) Results: Digital assets were key to young people’s social connectivity, but their use was associated with stress, increased screen time and negative mental health outcomes. The lockdowns impacted social capital, with young people’s key peripheral networks being lost, yet close friendships being strengthened. Finally, young people’s mental health was greatly affected by the isolation, but few sought help, mostly out of a desire to not overburden the NHS. (4) Conclusions: This study highlights the extent of the impact of the pandemic isolation on young people’s social capital and mental health. Post-pandemic strategies targeting mental health system strengthening, social isolation and help-seeking behaviours are recommended.

Social Connectivity is Related to Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Background: Evidence supports a relationship between loneliness, social isolation, and dementia, but less is known about whether social connections confer protection against cognitive decline in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Objective: This longitudinal population-based study examines the relationship between social connectivity and cognitive impairment in a multi-ethnic cohort with low socioeconomic status and high vascular disease risk. Methods: Northern Manhattan Study participants self-reported frequency of social visits, phone calls, satisfaction with social visits, number of friends, and loneliness at baseline, and were followed prospectively with a series of neuropsychological assessments. Social connectivity was examined in relation to incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI)/dementia using logistic regression adjusting for demographics and vascular risk factors. Results: Among 952 participants (mean age at first neuropsychological assessment = 69±8 years, 62%women, 17%Black, 13%white, 68%Hispanic), 24%developed MCI/dementia. Participants who had phone contact with friends/family 2 + times/week (91%) had a lower odds of MCI/dementia (OR = 0.52, 95%CI = 0.31–0.89), with no association for frequency of in-person visits. Compared to those who were neither socially isolated (≥3 friends) nor lonely (reference, 73%), those who were socially isolated and lonely (3%) had an increased odds of MCI/dementia (OR = 2.89, 95%CI = 1.19–7.02), but differences were not observed for those who were socially isolated but not lonely (10%, OR = 1.05, 95%CI = 0.60–1.84), nor those who were lonely but not isolated (11%, OR = 1.58, 95%CI = 0.97–2.59). Conclusion: This study raises the possibility that social connections confer some protection for cognitive health in the face of adversity and supports potential opportunities for community social interventions for improving cognition in disadvantaged populations.

Social Support, Isolation, Loneliness, and Health Among Older Adults in the PRISM Randomized Controlled Trial

Objectives: Social isolation and loneliness are serious public health issues given the association with negative physical, mental; and cognitive health outcomes and increased risk for mortality. Due to changes in life circumstances many aging adults are socially isolated and experience loneliness. We examined the relationships among four correlated but distinct constructs: social network size, social support, social isolation, and loneliness as they relate to indices of health and wellbeing among diverse subpopulations of older adults. Guided by WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) we also examined factors that predict loneliness and social isolation.Methods: Analyses of baseline data from sample of older adults who participated in an intervention trial that examined the beneficial effects of a software system designed to support access to resources and information, and social connectivity. Participants included 300 individuals aged 65–98, who lived alone, were primarily of lower socio-economic status and ethnically diverse. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire, self-report measures of health, depression, social network size, social support, and loneliness.Results: Loneliness was strongly associated with depression and self-ratings of health. In turn, greater social isolation and less social support were associated with greater loneliness. Social isolation was associated with depression and lower self-ratings of health. The association between social isolation and health was mediated by loneliness. Individuals in the older cohorts (80+) reported less social support. With respect to loneliness, having a smaller social network, more functional limitations, and limitations in engaging meaningful activities was associated with higher levels of loneliness and greater social isolation.Conclusion: The findings underscore the importance of social connectively to wellbeing for older adults and suggest that those in the older cohorts, who have a small social network, and with greater physical and functional impairments may be particularly vulnerable to being socially isolated and lonely. The findings provide guidance for future interventions. In this regard, we discuss how Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) may be used to promote social connectivity and engagement. Strategies to make the usability and availability of these applications for aging adults are highlighted.