The Experimental Generation of Interpersonal Closeness
Aron, Melinat, Aron, Vallone & Bator (1997) · Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 23(4)
We use this paper in 4 places in the academy · 4 stated limits
What the study found
Pairs of strangers answered 36 questions that became more personal as they went on. Afterwards they felt closer than pairs who made small talk.
When strangers shared personal things gradually and took turns, they felt much closer after forty-five minutes than strangers who made small talk.
What the study cannot prove
The method was designed to create closeness between strangers in a lab in about 45 minutes. The authors say clearly that it was not designed to make people fall in love.
Limits we note on the exercises
The authors say clearly that the method was designed to create closeness in a lab, not to make people fall in love.
The pairs were students who talked for 45 minutes in a lab. The method was designed to create closeness in one sitting. It does not show that the closeness lasts.
This was a lab procedure with set questions and a willing partner. It shows that the method works. It is not a script for a bar.
The authors say clearly that the method was designed to create closeness in a lab, not to make people fall in love. It was also tested with strangers, not long-term partners.
Where we use it
We use this paper in 4 places in the academy. If the paper turned out to be wrong, we would have to change everything in this list. Some of the exercise instructions below are part of Gold. You can read every finding for free.
In the topics · 2
Other papers used in the same places
These papers are used in the same topics and videos as this one. That does not mean the papers agree with each other. It only means that the same exercises use both.
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Driver & Gottman (2004)Undervaluing Gratitude: Expressers Misunderstand the Consequences of Showing Appreciation
Kumar & Epley (2018)Perceived Partner Responsiveness as an Organizing Construct in the Study of Intimacy and Closeness
Reis, Clark & Holmes (2004)The Effect of a Pratfall on Increasing Interpersonal Attractiveness
Aronson, Willerman & Floyd (1966)Research
A real study. We tell you what it found, how many people were in it, and what it can't prove.
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