For this week’s discussion board, listen to the “Relationships 2.0: What Makes Relationships Thrive” episode of the Hidden Brain podcast. This podcast can also be found at the link here: https://hiddenbrain.org/podcast/what-makes-relationships-thrive/ including a complete transcript of the episode (found under the “additional resources” section).
After having listened to this podcast in its entirety, answer the following questions:
Identify TWO concepts/ideas discussed in this episode that connect with you or that make you think either more deeply or differently about how we communicate with others within the context of relationships?
Were there any ideas/concepts that surprised you? Or that perhaps made sense, but you hadn’t given much thought to prior?
What does Harry Reis posit is one of the most important things that we want in our close relationships? Why does he say this is this case? Do you agree? Why or why not?
Explain the “illusion of transparency.” What is it? How have you seen this phenomenon pop up in your own life and/or in real life, pop culture, etc.? How can we fight against it?
Harry Reis cites a study by one of his colleagues, Amy Gordon, where she has shown “that conflicts, even when they don’t get resolved, are less harmful to relationships when people feel like they’ve been heard and understood.” With this in mind, what are some ways you can use this knowledge in your own relationships when there is disagreement/conflict? How do you think your use of this knowledge may change the outcome of said disagreement/conflict?
