The 6 elements of an effective apology, according to science

There are six components to an apology – and the more of them you include when you say you’re sorry, the more effective your apology will be, according to new research.

But if you’re pressed for time or space, there are two elements that are the most critical to having your apology accepted. Acknowledging and accepting responsibility for at least part of the perceived wrongdoing is by far the most important. The second most important factor was an offer of reparations. "One concern about apologies is that talk is cheap,” Roy Lewicki from The Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business, and lead author of the study, said in a statement. “But by saying, 'I'll fix what is wrong,' you're committing to take action to undo the damage.”

Read the complete article from Ohio State University here: The 6 elements of an effective apology, according to science

Game played in sync increases children’s perceived similarity, closeness

What helps children who have just met form a connection? A new study shows that a simple game played together in sync on a computer led 8-year-olds to report a greater sense of similarity and closeness immediately after the activity. Children who played the same game but not in a synchronous way did not report the same increase in connection.

Read the complete article from the University of Washington here: Game played in sync increases children’s perceived similarity, closeness

The full text journal article from PLOS ONE can be found here: Synchronous Rhythmic Interaction Enhances Children’s Perceived Similarity and Closeness towards Each Other

Laughter is an effective catalyst for new relationships

If you want someone to open up to you, just make them laugh. Sharing a few good giggles and chuckles makes people more willing to tell others something personal about themselves, without even necessarily being aware that they are doing so, researchers say.

Read the complete article from Springer (and find a link to the full text journal article) here: Laughter is an effective catalyst for new relationships

It’s not all wedded bliss: Marital stress linked to depression

Marital stress may make people more vulnerable to depression, according to a recent study. The long-term study shows that people who experience chronic marital stress are less able to savor positive experiences, a hallmark of depression. They are also more likely to report other depressive symptoms. Married people are, in general, happier and healthier than single people, according to numerous studies. But marriage can also be one of the most significant sources of long-lasting social stress.

What is especially interesting about this study is the method they used to measure emotion: using EMG to measure activity in the corrugator supercilli muscle, also known as the "frowning muscle." Could this be a novel use of the Spiker Box?

Read the complete article from the University of Wisconsin-Madison here: It’s not all wedded bliss: Marital stress linked to depression