The Negative Impacts of Social Isolation on Mental and Physical Health

Learning Goals

I can identify key elements of formatting in my writing.

I can adhere to and follow specific formatting instructions.

I can articulate our understanding of different writing styles and forms in a conference.

? All process work must be handed in or your work cannot be marked

? Updated research synthesis table (minimum 7 relevant sources, include at least two peer-reviewed academic sources, one book (or chapter in an edited volume) and one credible online document (government doc, research publication, etc., that is not a webpage or a newspaper or magazine article).

? Aim for 3 pages of content (approx. 750-900 words), not including title page/title block, images or tables, or reference page.

Hand In:

Informational Writing Formatting Styles Chart

Writing piece (approx. 750-900 words, with proper title page (as used in the writing style you have chosen), relevant images/tables (properly captioned and sourced), and reference page.

? Identify and discuss the significance of the ‘basic’ format/style elements of your chosen formatting/referencing system (APA, MLA, CSE-NY), and how they contribute to a well written paper (how do they benefit reader, writer, evaluator).

? Identify 3 additional unique advanced formatting examples in your writing, one of which must be voice (consider 1 st vs. 3 rd person, active vs. passive voice, proper use of tense). In each case, explain HOW this should be done properly according to your formatting/reference system and WHY each technique/example is important to the writer, reader and evaluator (why do we do it).

? Briefly explain why this learning about format/style is important and how you can/will apply this learning in the future. You may use an informal and personal voice.

Informational Writing - Formative

Knowledge and Understanding

Student demonstrates an understanding of the issue that is sophisticated, insightful and thorough in their written product.

Thinking

Student makes effective use of their chosen note-making strategy to gather relevant information from credible sources in support of their writing.

Communication

Student uses appropriate language conventions including vocabulary, word choice, sentence structure, organization, voice, within their written product).

Application

Written product is carefully organized with attention to format/style elements of their chosen style (APA, MLA, CSE-NY) and makes effective use of in-text referencing in support of argument. 

The previous assignment was a presentation format, this one is an essay.

Affects mental health and physical health

isolation has harmful impacts towards mental and physical health.  

Task Requirements

Social isolation has been found to have double the impact on mental health in comparison to obesity. Displaying how social isolation can negatively influence an individual's mental health. Moreover, one person's mental health can affect another person as it has a ripple effect. Therefore even once an individual is out of isolation the mental health affects will not go away instantly thus it can branch off to others.  Needs considerable revision for clarity and to more clearly develop these ideas, which are not necessarily simply connected.

The lack of social interaction has detrimental effects on physical health, increasing health risks to a scale of smoking 15 cigarettes daily.

Cigarettes are especially bad for health, leading to premature death hence proving how necessary social interaction is. Potentially taking a large toll on an individual's body when they have gone a long duration without interacting with anyone and/or having minimal social interaction.

Furthermore, researchers have found loneliness to be a factor in promoting heart disease and breast cancer (Caporuscio, 2020).

Isolation plays a large role in loneliness which in its own way is highly negative for health. Increasing the chances of medical conditions such as anxiety and depression. Both conditions that have been found to destroy careers, relationships and more(National Institute on Aging, 2019).

Finally, social isolation can lead to sleepless nights and go as far as reducing the immune function.This causes vulnerability to sicknesses as the immune function is reduced and sleep is a primary factor for maintaining a healthy immune system. 

Secondly, isolation also impacts an individual's cognitive functionality. 

Researchers have discovered that isolation can influence cognitive health through decreasing reasoning, judgement, ability to process, remember

information and more. Showing how isolation can result in impared cognitive functionalities, in turn negatively impacting an individuals lifestyle. For example, preventing people from working at their utmost ability, and in fact at a much lower rate than normal. 

To add onto this, in 1972 an experiment was conducted where a french adventurer and scientist locked himself within a cave for a duration extending 6 months, after 5 months of isolation, he was reported to have attempted to befriend a mouse in desperation for company (Offord, 2020).

Clear proof of how prolonged isolation can destroy your reasoning. Making someone believe they can converse with a mouse or driving them to such lengths to take a chance of talking to an animal. 

Lastly, a study in 2013 found that people who reported to have lower social contacts throughout the duration of the experiment had a decline in their memory and verbal fluency (Offord, 2020).

Both of these things are cognitive functions and isolation is directly connected to less social interactions, once again proving how negative isolation is for cognitive health.

Ultimately demonstrating how bad isolation is for health as a whole. 

 

Knowledge & Understanding

 

Research and Script demonstrate an understanding of the issue that is sophisticated, insightful and thorough and properly referenced (APA, MLA or CSE-NY style).

 

Thinking  

 

During speaking, student uses language and/or techniques that demonstrate grasp of the structure and style of academic argument (and if necessary) of the appropriate and sophisticated use of persuasive rhetorical techniques.  

 

Communication  

 

During speaking ideas are presented in a logical order, voice is clear and easy to hear, expression is effective, pacing is effective, appropriate in tone and word choice. Delivery supported by appropriate body language and purposeful use of gestures. Visual aid appropriately supports presentation.

 

Research Question 1:

 

How does isolation affect mental health?

Why is this information significant? (what does it contribute to your argument? Reminders for analysis? Additional questions raised? Etc.)

 

Research Question 2: How isolation affects cognitive health.