Seeking solace in television.

• Position: Psychology - Brief article

Not all technology meets human needs, and some technologies provide only the illusion of having met your needs. However, research by psychologists at the University at Buffalo (N.Y.) and the University of Miami of Ohio indicates that illusionary relationships with the characters and personalities on favorite TV shows can provide people with feelings of belonging, even in the face of low self esteem or after being rejected by friends or family members.

"The research provides evidence for the 'social surrogacy hypothesis,' which holds that humans can use technologies, like television, to provide the experience of belonging when no real belongingness has been experienced," declares Shira Gabriel, UB assistant professor of psychology. "We also argue that other commenplace technologies such as movies, music, or interactive video games, as well as television...