But sometimes people need more than a few minutes alone. Occasionally,
we need a more extended amount of time by ourselves to work through per-
sonal problems and make important decisions. Although consulting with
others can be useful, many times people need extended time alone to think
things through. Time for contemplation may be especially valuable for adoles-
cents as they address personal questions about religion, values, personal iden-
tity, and life goals. To test this possibility, adolescents in one study were
followed for one week through the Experience Sampling Procedure to deter-mine how much time they spent by themselves (Larson, 1997). The investiga-
tor found that teenagers who spent a moderate amount of time by themselves,
roughly between 25% and 45% of their nonclass hours, tended to be betteradjusted and less depressed than either those who spent very little time in sol-
itude or those who spent a great deal of their time alone. Teenagers who
spent a moderate amount of time alone also had better grades than the otherstudents. These findings also make it clear that although some time alone has
positive benefits, more solitude is not necessarily better. Teenagers who spend
an excessive amount of time away from others may fail to accrue some of thebenefits that come from social contact.
For some, the benefits of solitude may be found in extended periods of
isolation. Long periods of solitude —days or perhaps even weeks alone —can
provide the opportunity to develop oneself spiritually, intellectually, and crea-
tively. One psychologist found examples of several influential people whose
contributions could be traced back to an extended period of isolation and in-
trospection (Storr, 1988). The works of several famous writers, such as
Beatrix Potter and Rudyard Kipling, are the result of inspiration that evolved
during extended solitude. Similarly, many religious leaders, including Jesus
and Buddha, are said to have come to their insights during extended periods
Some people find time by themselves lonely and painful, but for others time alone is
precious.336 CHAPTER 12 The Humanistic Approach