Do You Want to Fall in Love? Do This!

One of the most remarkable questionnaires I’ve ever come across was psychologists Arthur and Elaine Aron’s 36 questions.  Their aim was to bring two people in a lab – strangers in fact – closer together by having them answer a series of questions.   But the miraculous thing is that some couples who’ve tried the 36 questions have actually fallen in love!As in the case of Mandy Len Catron, a Canadian who wrote about her falling-in-love-on-the-first-date experience.  Her essay appeared in the New York Times and became a sensation.  It’s been over 25 years since the original study was published and I was curious to hear Dr. Arthur Aron’s thoughts on it.  Why do these questions create closeness among two people?  Does it have the same effect on men and women?  Have they discovered anything more powerful at creating intimacy since their original study?  Join me for a surprising conversation on love and keeping passion alive. INFO ON GUEST:Dr. Arthur Aron is a Social Psychologist and Research Professor at Stony Brook University in New York:  https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/psychology/faculty/faculty_profiles/aaron  He’s also an Affiliate at the University of California, Berkeley.  The 36 questions are in this NY Times column:  https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/09/style/no-37-big-wedding-or-small.htmlMandy Len Catron’s essay “To Fall In Love with Anyone, Do This:”https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/11/style/modern-love-to-fall-in-love-with-anyone-do-this.htmlDr. Aron’s study: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/0146167297234003  We’d really appreciate your support!  Please rate our podcast and subscribe and follow us on social @CRAMideas.  Support the CRAM Podcast!Research shapes our lives, yet so much of it doesn’t reach the public. CRAM bridges the gap, bringing groundbreaking Canadian research to everyone. To keep this important work going, we need your support.CRAM is a registered charity, and Canadian donors will receive a tax receipt. Help us share the research that matters and donate using the link below. Thank you!https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/124993