Shankar Vedantam

There is a part of us that wants to share, to have the world see us as we truly are.

And there is a part of us that sees how people are brought down by scandal and gossip.

And a cautious voice inside us says, be smart, keep your mouth shut.

In today's show and our episode next week, and also in a special episode of Hidden Brain+, we explore the psychological costs and benefits of self-concealment and self-disclosure.

Keeping Secrets, this week on Hidden Brain+.

In the course of a day, countless thoughts and feelings enter our minds.

We share some of these thoughts and feelings with others, but we keep most of them to ourselves.

When is it smart to share?

When is it smart to hide?

Is there scientific evidence that can guide us on what we should do?

At Harvard University, psychologist Leslie John has spent many years studying these questions.

Leslie John, welcome to Hidden Brain.

Leslie, one of your favorite TV programs is the British comedy series, Mr. Bean.

There's one particular episode that you enjoy.

And for people who are unfamiliar with the show, who is Mr. Bean and what is he doing in the scene?

I understand that you had your own Mr. Bean moment some years ago.

Can you set the scene for me and tell me what happened?

So concealment can sometimes have bigger consequences, Leslie.

You tell the story of two women you know.

You call them Jennifer and Donna.