Vitros Editorial Team/1 min read
People appreciate a quick check-in more than you expect
People tend to underestimate how much others appreciate a quick check-in message or a small gift.
People tend to underestimate how much others appreciate a quick check-in message or a small gift.
The study
Across a series of preregistered experiments, people who reached out to someone in their social circle, with a short message or a small gift, consistently underestimated how much it was appreciated. The researchers found the gap was larger when the gesture was more surprising, including when it came from someone the recipient was less close to.
Starting small
A short "thinking of you" message takes a minute to send. Choosing one person to check in with each week is a simple way to make it a habit.
Topics
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References
1. Liu, Rim, Min, Min (2022). The surprise of reaching out: Appreciated more than we think. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.