Although levels of depression may be on a continuum of increasing impairment. People with subthreshold depression may be at substantial risk of developing major depressive disorder or engaging in suicidal behavior. Knowing how social experiences affect someone with subthreshold depression can help you understand better. People with subthreshold depression have a heightened reaction to positive life events. In one study, humans were subjected to survival challenges that were met through participation with trustworthy others in social groups. Being accepted by the group increases survival, while not being accepted would decrease one's survival. They also had to find suitable mates, produce offspring, and continue their genetic lineage. Responses showed that people with greater depressive symptoms react to the perception of dominance from others with exacerbated submission and feelings of inferiority compared to people with less depressive symptoms (Kashdan and Steger,