Dr. Frances Chen
Assistant Professor
University of British Columbia

Mechanisms Linking Social Connection and Health: From Olfactory Cues to Mistaken Beliefs
High-quality social connections and social support networks are vital for physical and mental health. How do our social lives “get under the skin” to influence our health? Dr. Chen's research examines some of the psychological and physiological processes that link our social lives to our health, often outside of our awareness. Specifically, she will discuss (1) how social support can be communicated through olfactory cues, and (2) how our (mistaken) beliefs about peers’ lives can influence our friendship formation and health. Dr. Chen will consider how such findings could be used to develop evidence-based strategies for combating loneliness and social isolation.

This lecture is made possible in part by a generous Endowment by the family of Allen. L. Edwards.