Welcome to the Social Experiences and Attitudes Lab (SEAL)!
The Social Experiences and Attitudes Lab (SEAL) at Old Dominion University (Director: Dr. Matthew Espinosa) conducts research focused on social isolation/loneliness, health attitudes and behaviors, romantic relationships, stereotypes and prejudice, and self-perception. The SEAL takes a multidisciplinary approach to research, combining a variety of research methodologies including surveys, experiments, qualitative (i.e., free response) narratives, and longitudinal data collection. A specific focus of our recent work is to further our understanding of the causes and consequences of existential isolation (i.e., the belief that no one around us can understand our unique experiences or worldview). The ultimate goal of this work is to identify the social and personality risk factors that may lead people to feel alone, and the subsequent challenges to both personal and interpersonal well-being that stem from these feelings, in order to better inform avenues for preventing and improving upon these conditions. Visit the About our Research section of our website to learn more!Â