Positive Mood and Feeling of Being Socially Connected After a Getting-Acquainted Interaction

• In Event: 21011 - Social Psychology in Organizations

Abstract

This study extends the small body of literature that has examined the positive mood enhancement from interactions with strangers and weak ties. Pairs of college students engaged in a getting-acquainted interaction in a controlled laboratory situation and completed well-being measures (affect, social connection) both before and after the interaction. Results showed that the participants experienced an increase in positive affect and feelings of social connection, and a decrease in negative affect, from before to after the getting-acquainted interaction. These boosts in overall well-being from the interaction were found regardless of the self-disclosure task engaged in (e.g., intimate vs. small talk topics, randomly assigned) or individual difference characteristics (e.g., shyness, self-esteem). Implications of the results are discussed for how interactions with weak ties can increase people’s well-being and help them meet the pervasive need to belong.

Author

• Susan Sprecher, Illinois State University