B2 – Upper Intermediate
New research in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that a shared sense of reality plays a such a vital role in social connections.
The research explains how when we meet someone for the first time, we feel that we “click” with that individual. Moreover, it offers an insight about how sometimes, romantic couples and close friends have a sense that they share the same thoughts and feelings about the world.
Read the article to know how shared reality builds social connection and makes relationships stronger.
Vocabulary Questions:
- What does “riff off” mean? “You know the feeling of striking up a conversation with a stranger and immediately starting to finish each other’s ideas and riff off of each other?” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “subjective experience” mean? “In nine studies with 1,571 participants in total, the researchers found evidence that the subjective experience of sharing a set of feelings, beliefs and concerns about the world was a defining feature of close relationships.” Use it in a sentence.
- What does “inside joke” mean? “Couples high on shared reality engage in motivated behaviors to restore their sense of shared reality, like referencing inside jokes and shared memories or trips they took together. “ Use it in a sentence.
Discussion Questions:
- How do you think couples can create a stronger shared reality when they’re going through stressful or uncertain times?
- Why do you think shared reality plays such a big role in helping couples build stronger relationship?
- What do you think are the dark sides to shared reality?
- Why are humans motivated to establish a shared reality with others?
- Does a lack of shared reality lead to conflict, and can it be a divisive force, as seen in social and political divides?