“Social connection isn’t something that just happens to us,” writes Chicago Booth’s Nicholas Epley. “It’s a choice we make: to be bold and connect with someone or to hold back and avoid.” ms.spr.ly/6015vdCqx

We are proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 @R_Thaler–Tversky Independent Research Grant for Emerging Scholars! Learn more about their research below, and join us in celebrating the 2026 Thaler-Tversky Grant winners! 👏 chicagobooth.edu/research/ro…

If being social is so good for us, why do we often choose to be unsocial? @ChicagoBooth’s Nicholas Epley, in a recent opinion piece for @WSJ, points out that many of us are too pessimistic about how others will respond when we reach out. Read: wsj.com/opinion/the-science-…

Booth’s Kristin Donnelly (@KNDonnelly) was featured in the Best 40-Under-40 Business Professors list for 2026 by @PoetsAndQuants. Her research focuses on consumer judgment and decision-making. ms.spr.ly/6013vZaN5

We have to modulate our impulse to recognize and reward excellence, argues Chicago Booth's @jprollert. ms.spr.ly/6012vkrpA

Want to get "a bit more social" this summer? Join Nicholas Epley’s course at the @UChicago Graham School! This non-credit course is open to everyone, and especially welcomes adults with life experience who are looking to learn and grow. 📘 Find out more: graham.uchicago.edu/course/t…

NEW PODCAST 👇 Does replaying videos change how we watch them? Chicago Booth’s Kristin Donnelly talks about her research on the “replay illusion.” ms.spr.ly/6012vksmr

tried being A LITTLE MORE SOCIAL on the streets of nyc… 📚 turns out strangers > scrolling sites.prh.com/a-little-more-…

NEW PODCAST 👇 Does replaying videos change how we watch them? Chicago Booth’s @KNDonnelly talks about her research on the “replay illusion.” ms.spr.ly/6010vksoq

Is small talk good for you? @ChicagoBooth’s Nicholas Epley joined Mary Dixon & Patrick Smith on @WBEZ's Say More to discuss his new book, “A Little More Social.” Why do we choose to be unsocial when we get so much out of social connection? 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 🎙️ Listen: wbez.org/say-more-with-mary-…

Should we debate less and dialogue more? "If you are interacting with someone who you think has the goal to learn from you and understand you, then you're more likely to adopt the goal of understanding them." ms.spr.ly/6018vVVJa

Everyday social interactions make us happier than we realize, yet many people avoid them because they expect them to feel awkward or uncomfortable. Listen to Dr. Nicholas Epley explain how even brief moments of connection can improve our well-being: at.apa.org/2079bf

The new Huberman Lab episode is out: How to Overcome Social Anxiety | Dr. Nick Epley 0:00 Nick Epley 2:29 Assumptions about Other Thoughts; Inferring Behavior 9:03 Eye Gaze, Social Cues 14:27 Sponsors: Wealthfront & Eight Sleep 17:18 Tone, Voice vs Writing; AI; Public Figures & Ambiguity 29:59 Importance of Social Connection, Communication Types 37:18 Social Isolation, Self-Worth 42:33 Sponsor: AG1 44:16 Social Media, Conversation & Responsiveness 47:52 Social Connection & Cooperation; Adopted Children 57:04 Connecting with Strangers, Manners 1:02:52 Fear of Strangers, Tool: Small Moments for Connection 1:08:50 Sponsor: Function 1:10:28 Connection to Humanity, Strangers; Extroversion & Well-Being 1:22:26 Social Anxiety & Changing Beliefs; 100 Days of Rejection 1:33:52 Perceived Creepiness, Social Anxiety; Developing Social Skills 1:41:40 Sponsor: LMNT 1:43:00 Initiating Conversation, Testing Cues, Pessimistic Expectations 1:47:00 Social Gatherings; Blessings of Children with Down Syndrome 1:59:43 Parents, Shame, Children Challenges; Supporting Kids' Pursuits 2:09:17 Outdoors, Hunters, Conservation, Social Connection 2:17:39 Modeling Social Interactions for Kids, Tool: Habits Awareness 2:27:42 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Includes paid partnerships.

Can talking to strangers actually make you happier? Nicholas Epley (@ChicagoBooth) sits down with @Indira_L on @hereandnow, to explore how deeper conversations can spark surprising joy and connection. Listen: wliw.org/radio/news/a-little…

Who Has Time to Be a Good Parent? #BehavioralScience @ariel_kalil (@HarrisPolicy @HarrisBIPLab ) shares why college-educated moms spend 300 more hours a year on childcare, but enjoy it less. How can we close this parenting time gap? chicagobooth.edu/review/podc… via @chicagoboothrev