Answer to Question 1
Answer: Lonely people are often uncomfortable around others and act in ways that reduce sources of social support, such as by avoiding others and engaging in unappealing behavior. This may lead to increased feelings of loneliness and self-defeating thoughts, which may in turn lead to depression and additional negative interpersonal behavior. This behavior may push others away and further increase the individual's loneliness.
Answer to Question 2
Answer: Forming friendships with high status individuals can help us gain status for ourselves through mere association (known as basking in reflected glory). People often try to break social connections that could reflect poorly on them (example: dishonest, hostile, or stigmatized others). This is called cutting off reflected failure.
