It is Sometimes in the Silence That We Hear the Most: On How Conversations Shape Our Connections

New Emotion Science Article

The quality of our conversations offers clues to the strength of our connections. Whether they be romantic relationships, friendships, or collegial associations, how much we enjoy and gain from our conversations reflects the closeness of our interpersonal bonds, ultimately affecting our well-being. Our essay this month focuses on conversations, friendships, and well-being, following the release of The Science of Flourishing: What Psychological Research Tells Us About Living Well.

Why You Miss Casual Friends and People You Barely Know

Featured Podcast Episode

Amidst lockdowns and the need to physically distance, we’ve made the effort to maintain our connection to our closest circle of friends and family, even when we can’t see each other physically or as often as we like. But what about connections and conversations that we are missing out on, be it with a ⁠casual work acquaintance⁠, the uncle at the local sundry shop, or the stranger at a cafe? We look at why these connections are important in our lives.