"Humans are happier and feel more supported in collective environments"- John F. Helliwell, Haifang Huang and Shun Wang on the Journal for Happiness Studies
--"get happiness not just from doing things with others, but from doing things both with and for others"
"Our individualistic society contradicts this view as independence, autonomy, competition, distinct boundaries, self-reliance, and individual uniqueness is emphasized. While it may appear that bonds are forming they are often insincere and shallow lacking the true depth of inclusive fulfillment of emotional desires. This reinforces that an individual must survive and struggle in isolation. As people do not want to get involved they construct and utilize defense mechanisms to sustain limitations"
The last component includes emotional connections that can strengthen over shared history and investing of time together. Consequently, a safe space for dialogue where individuals can create, collaborate, and organize is essential (Wright, 2004).
Wright, S.P. (2004). Psychological Sense of Community: Theory of McMillan & Chavis (1986).
http://ucpsarnet.iglooprojects.org/forums/communitybuildingcitizensengagement/senseofcommunityindifferentculturalcontexts
http://www.afs.org/blog/icl/?p=3473
“Words that would show an individualistic orientation became more frequent. Examples of those words were ‘individual,’ ‘self,’ ‘unique,’” [researcher Patricia Greenfield] said. “Words that would represent a more communal or more family orientation went down in frequency. Some examples of those words are ‘give,’ ‘obliged,’ ‘belong.’”
“As we rise in wealth, along with that rise in wealth comes ideas of individuality and self-expression and autonomy and freedom — and loneliness,” [professor of psychology at University of California – Berkley Dacher] Keltner said.
Keltner said being wealthy does not inevitably mean isolation. But it probably does mean that the bonds of connection that came easily to us 200 years ago might now need to be carefully — and deliberately — cultivated.
"There’s no conflict between individualism and community. There’s a conflict between voluntary association and coerced association.
http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2011/05/individualism-community/
On-line Communities as Real Communities
Recent studies have shown that the uses of the internet are instrumental, and closely connected to the work, family, and everyday life of internet users. For example, in the US, email represents over 85% of internet usage, and most of email volume is related to work purposes, to specific tasks, and to keep in touch with family and friends in real life (Anderson and Tracey, 2001). 
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