A study shows that the small talk that’s lauded by neurotypical people isn’t as meaningful as it’s been made out to be.
Sounds like autistic people had it right all along: Deeper conversations of actual substance are more meaningful.
Is a fulfilling life built on light banter or on meaningful, thought-provoking conversations?
Researchers from the University of Arizona, and Washington University in St. Louis, explored whether people’s happiness levels correlate with the nature of their everyday interactions.
Yes, a Study on Small Talk
Participants wore a discreet device known as the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR) for four days.
This tool intermittently captured 30-second audio snippets every 12.5 minutes, ultimately collecting over 20,000 audio clips.
These recordings were later analyzed to distinguish between casual small talk and more in-depth and meaningful discussions.
Participants also completed surveys measuring their personality traits and overall well-being.
Published in Psychological Science, the study revealed findings that could be most intriguing to neurotypicals as well as autistic individuals.
After all, common small talk – with its superficiality – has long been regarded by neurotypicals as a requirement for slowly opening the gate towards more substantial or complex conversation.
On the other hand, Autistics heavily prefer to yank open the gate and dive right in to substantial conversation. They don’t need the warmup of thin small talk.
So in this study, people who reported higher levels of happiness spent significantly less time in solitude — about 25% less — compared to their less happy counterparts.
They also engaged in conversations 70% more often.
But it wasn’t just the frequency of social interaction that differed; it was also the quality.
Happier individuals had twice as many substantial conversations and only a third as much idle chatter compared to those who were less happy.
These results suggest that a rich, happy life is not only socially engaged but also enriched by meaningful exchanges.
Although the study does not establish whether deep conversations lead to happiness or vice versa (cause-and-effect), the researchers propose that substantial dialogue may enhance a sense of connection and purpose.
Autistic and struggling with small talk?
Next time you dread having to “do” small talk, remember this study’s findings.
If small talk drains or bores you, perhaps you could try skipping it next time you’re in an environment where you believe you’ll be expected to conduct superficial chatter.
I’m on the Spectrum myself and, not ever having been high masking, I’ve always tended to automatically turn common small talk into something deeper.
I’ve also noted that there are neurotypicals who don’t mind a shortcut.
Maybe small talk ain’t what it’s all been cracked up to be!
Lorra Garrick has been covering medical and fitness topics for many years, having written thousands of articles for print magazines and websites, including as a ghostwriter. She’s also a former ACE-certified personal trainer. In 2022 she received a diagnosis of Level 1 Autism Spectrum Disorder.
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