Social distance and loneliness as they relate to headphones used with portable audio technology

Humans have employed music to entertain themselves for a long period of time. The phonograph, radio and audio players (tape and disk) have contributed to the desire in people to make music machines portable enough to be taken everywhere. Once headphones were introduced, individuals could take music machines anywhere and not disturb others. However, in the process of employing a means of not bothering others, it can be assumed that psychological separation from others may have occurred as well. Portable radios begat portable cassettes, portable cassette players begat CD players and CD players are now considered by some to be outdated with the advent of MP3 players (such as iPods and other data players). In this thesis, all of these devices used with headphones (or earbuds) are referred to as portable audio technology (PAT). It has been suggested that the use of headphones may impede interactions with and feelings of being connected to others. The basic theory employed in this study was Attachment Theory. There are two important contradictory aspects to this theory: (1) proximity seeking, closeness or feeling connected to a significant other while at the same time (2) using this connection as a safe haven to separate or become autonomous. Several attachment theorists believe headphone use tends to alienate those around the user who are often put off from making conversation. In addition, several researchers have theorized that a "portable audio device" may serve as a "transitional object" (TO) as one moves from close relationships. In separation transitional objects may serve to replace the person the child has formed an attachment to when they are not available. As such, the TO serves to eliminate any fear, anxiety or discomfort the person might experience. PAT use, then, may be a source of comfort to individuals when separated from those they love. PAT devices may serve an additional function as well. They may separate individuals from others in life situations. The result of this separation from others may be feelings of isolation (i.e. social distance and/or loneliness). This thesis examined the relationship between PAT use and social distance and loneliness. The participants were 58 college students, consisting of 30 males and 28 females between the ages of 18 and 29, who were queried as to their hours of use per day as well as their days of use per week. Social loneliness was found to be significantly higher in the high users of PAT in comparison to low users. When gender differences were examined with social loneliness in terms of high and low users a significant difference was found for female participants but no significant difference was found for males. Emotional loneliness did not reveal a significant difference between high/low users and age of the participants. Again, gender of the participants indicated a trend toward emotional loneliness but was not significant. There was no significant difference found between high and low male users; however, high female users reported significantly more emotional loneliness than did low users. Furthermore, no significant differences between high and low users of PAT and social distance were found. Additionally, age of the participants (younger and older) revealed no significant differences in social distance. Finally, no gender differences were found in social distance. The major finding of this study was high PAT users report more social loneliness than low PAT users. This may be important information for parents, educators and counselors/therapists. An awareness of PAT use may aid in assessment and treatment for clients reporting loneliness or depression. It was concluded that further empirical evidence and observation is needed in order to better understand the impact of portable audio technology with headphones on individuals and society.