Why do humans love secrets?
The study noted that “autonomous motivation” is known to contribute to feelings of vitality. “You feel really in control over positive secrets,” Dr. Slepian said, “and that may be part of what makes them feel energizing.”
Why do we like telling secrets?
“Keeping secrets leads to social isolation, stress, damage to relationships and health problems,” she explained. “People might reveal the secret to others to avoid these negative consequences, or also to feel close to the confidant, ask advice, or to receive social support.
Why do people want to share secrets?
To start, research on self-disclosure suggests that sharing personal information is associated with higher liking, trust, and overall intimacy (e.g., Collins & Miller, 1994; Sprecher et al., 2012). By extension, research suggests that sharing personal secrets would have similar interpersonal benefits (Barasch, 2020).
What makes secrets so powerful?
Secrets have a unique power to influence people's lives in profound ways. They can create a sense of control and privacy, but can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, and anxiety. Secrets can impact an individual's mental health and well-being by causing stress, insomnia, and even depression.