The more conversations you have, the happier you are. But, not all conversations are equal.
Turns out, the quality of your conversation matters.
University of Arizona Professor of Psychology Matthias Mehl has been studying happiness to test whether any conversation increases well-being or if it needs to have depth in order to impact individual happiness.
“Frankly, we didn’t know. ... Is it a good thing to dive into the existential depths of life and have these deep conversations, seek those out or does it drive you into depression and despair?” Mehl said.
He said there is an argument to support a shallower, more easy-going approach to interaction but his study found that quality of conversation matters more.
His team just completed a follow-up study that will be submitted in a few weeks.
Mehl said it supports the original findings.
