Mere presence is not enough: Responsive support in a virtual world

• Published in: Journal of experimental social psychology 2012, Vol.48 (1), p.37-44
• Main Authors: Kane, Heidi S., McCall, Cade, Collins, Nancy L., Blascovich, Jim
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult attachment; Anxiety; Behavioural psychology; Couple; Emotions; Mental stress; Personal relationships; Psychological effects; Responsiveness; Social psychology; Social support; Stress; Threat; Trust; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 0022-1031; 1096-0465
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jesp.2011.07.001

When individuals are faced with novel or threatening situations, the presence of a trusted companion should reduce anxiety and promote feelings of security. Attachment theory assumes, however, that mere presence is not sufficient for establishing security; an attachment figure must also be attentive and emotionally responsive. To test this idea, participants came to the lab with their romantic partner and completed a threatening cliff-walking task in a digital immersive virtual environment. The presence and nonverbal support behavior (attentive vs. inattentive) of their partner was experimentally manipulated. Results indicated that participants in the attentive-partner condition experienced the task as less stressful than those who were alone; they also reported feeling more secure during the task and were less vigilant of their partner's behavior compared to those in the inattentive-partner condition. Those in the inattentive-partner condition felt less cared for and kept greater physical distance from their partner on a subsequent task. These findings suggest that human beings are predisposed to monitor their social environment for signs of responsiveness, and that perceived responsiveness, not mere presence, is the key modulator of emotional security. ► Tested effect of presence and responsiveness of a partner during a stressful task. ► Used virtual reality to create a stressful task and manipulate partner behavior. ► Attentiveness reduced threat, promoted comfort, and feelings of being cared for. ► Inattentiveness increased behavioral vigilance of and distancing from a partner. ► Responsiveness, not mere presence, is the key modulator of emotional security.