George Herbert Mead said that humans are talked into humanity.
He meant we gain personal identity as we communicate with others.
In the earliest years of our lives,our parents tell us who we are,"You are intelligent","You are so strong".
We first see ourselves through the eyes of others'.
So their messages form important foundations of ourselves' concepts.
Later we interact with teachers,friends,romantic partners and co-workers,who communicate their views of us.
Thus how we see ourselves reflects the views of us that others communicate.
The profound connection between identity and communication is dramatically evident in children who are deprived of human contact.
Case studies of children who are isolated from others review that they're lack of firm self-concept,and their mental and psychological development is severely hindered by lack of language.
Communication with others not only affects our sense of identity,but also directly influences our physical and emotional well-being.
Consistently,research shows that communicating with others promotes health whereas social isolation is linked to stress,disease and early death.
People who lack close friends have greater levels of anxiety and depression than people who are close to others.
A group of researchers reviews scores of studies that trace the relationship between health and interaction with others.
The conclusion was that social isolation is statistically as dangerous as high-blood pressure,smoking,and obesity.
Many doctors and researchers believe that loneness harms the immune system,making us more vulnerable to a range of minor and major illnesses.