Why do people avoid talking to strangers? A mini meta-analysis of predicted fears and actual experiences talking to a stranger

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15411665
AutoresGillian M Sandstrom (0000-0002-0549-9600, University of Essex, autor de correspondencia), Erica J Boothby (0000-0001-6171-3563, University of Pennsylvania)
Año2020
Volumen20
Número1
Páginas47-71
Fecha de publicación2020-09-29
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaSelf and Identity (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 1529-8868 • E-ISSN: 1529-8876
EditorialTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/15298868.2020.1816568
OpenAlexW3091418957
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas19
Referencias citadas37

People are often reluctant to talk to strangers, despite the fact that they are happier when they do so. We investigate this apparent paradox, meta-analyzing pre-conversation predictions and post-conversation experiences across seven studies (N = 2304). We examine: fears of not enjoying the conversation, not liking one's partner, and lacking conversational skills; fears of the partner not enjoying the conversation, not liking oneself, and lacking conversational skills. We examine the relative strength of these fears, and show that the fears are related to talking behavior. We report evidence that people's fears are overblown. Finally, we report two interventions designed to reduce fears: conversation tips, and the experience of a pleasant conversation. Ultimately, this research shows that conversations go better than expected

Conversation · Conversation analysis · Psychological intervention · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Communication · Media Influence and Health · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology