Small Talk
Frequency | Repeated | Repetition Duration | Duration | Modality | Video/Audio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yes |
Participants will engage in small talk with someone they have never met. They are asked to have a 10-20 minute conversation where they build a connection and learn about each other.
Reasoning
Social connection is strongly linked with happiness.Some research suggests this practice can transform moments that might otherwise feel slightly negative (e.g., being on public transit) —into opportunities to smile, share something about ones self, and give pleasure to someone else Prior work shows socializing is ranked as one of the most enjoyable daily activities, and the “micro-moments” of connection that people experience with others may increase emotional well-being.
Procedure
Participants are invited to try to make a connection with a new person that day. They are instructed to try to find out something interesting about their conversation partner and also to share something about themselves with. Suggestions may be given to participants for how to have this conversation including: 1) ask questions relating to their immediate context; 2) ask open-ended questions (e.g., “what do you do for fun?” “); 3) . Participants should also ask follow-up questions of their conversation partner.
Primary Citation & Study Summary:
Epley, N., & Schroeder, J. (2014). Mistakenly seeking solitude. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 143(5), 1980–1999.
In a series of experiments in Chicago, people on public transit, in taxis, and in a waiting room were assigned to either make conversation with a stranger or stay silent. Those who made conversation reported having more positive and no less productive interactions, and they had positive impressions of their conversational partners. No demographic information was included in this study.
More research is needed to explore whether, and how, the impact of this practice extends to other groups and cultures.
More Evidence
Duffy, K. A., Helzer, E. G., Hoyle, R. H., Helzer, J. F., & Chartrand, T. L. (2018). Pessimistic expectations and poorer experiences: The role of (low) extraversion in anticipated and experienced enjoyment of social interaction. PLoS ONE, 13(7), 21.