Why Being ‘a Little More Social’ Makes Us Happier than We Expect, with PhD

Why It Matters

If people recognized this bias they could reduce loneliness and improve mental health by making small, low-cost social moves; organizations and policymakers could promote simple social opportunities to enhance wellbeing at scale.

Summary

Behavioral scientist Nicholas Epley argues that people routinely underestimate how much brief, low-effort social interactions—like complimenting a stranger or chatting on a train—will improve their mood and wellbeing. His research, sparked by a chance conversation on a Chicago commute and developed into experiments, finds large effect sizes: small acts of warmth reliably boost happiness and connection. People mispredict these outcomes because they focus on their own competence and potential awkwardness, while others are primarily evaluating warmth and respond positively. Epley’s work suggests that modestly increasing everyday sociability yields outsized psychological benefits.

Original Description

From chatting with a stranger on the train to reaching out to an old friend, everyday social interactions make us happier than we realize. Yet many people avoid these moments because they expect them to feel awkward or uncomfortable. Nicholas Epley, PhD, author of ‘A Little More Social,’ discusses why people consistently underestimate how much they’ll enjoy all kinds of social interactions; the psychology behind small talk and deep conversations; how technology is changing the way we connect; and why even brief moments of connection can improve our happiness, health and well-being.

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