More real together: Conversation predicts realness through shared reality

How do people make sense of the world and determine what is real? We propose that conversation enhances the perceived realness of everyday objects and experiences by allowing conversation partners to develop a shared reality — the perception of sharing the same beliefs and feelings about the world....

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Rossignac-Milon, M. (Maya)|||/items/46487125-fd91-4533-a499-f61e9aa85148, Boothby, E.J. (Erica J.)|||/items/2191f23e-1162-4c4d-82fc-9c21fd20b1c7, Clark, M.S. (Margaret S.)|||/items/52839e96-2b23-4550-ae36-9b4c3141fe02, Pinelli, F. (Federica)|||/items/e55e7ef7-0ce4-43ba-ad22-102c29ce8b8b, Higgins, E.T. (E. Tory)|||/items/c82cc41d-ac1d-4076-a790-de866b170284
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universidad de Navarra
Repositorio:Dadun. Depósito Académico Digital de la Universidad de Navarra
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:dadun.unav.edu:10171/120181
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10171/120181
Access Level:acceso embargado
Palabra clave:Shared reality
Conversation
Interpersonal relationships
Social verification
Epistemic needs
Descripción
Sumario:How do people make sense of the world and determine what is real? We propose that conversation enhances the perceived realness of everyday objects and experiences by allowing conversation partners to develop a shared reality — the perception of sharing the same beliefs and feelings about the world. We found that conversation partners who spontaneously talked more about ambiguous images perceived them as more real, and this effect was mediated by their sense of shared reality (Study 1). A 5-day daily diary study revealed that on days participants talked with a close partner more than usual, their experiences felt more real, and this effect was mediated by shared reality (Study 2). Experimentally introducing doubt in romantic couples’ beliefs about their shared reality disrupted the effect of conversation on realness, with effects persisting one week later (Study 3). These studies suggest that conversations may heighten perceived realness by enhancing shared reality, highlighting the importance of interpersonal relationships in shaping people’s sense of reality.