Shankar Vedantam

I'm sure people must clam up if someone asks them this question in a research setting.

In one set of studies, Leslie has examined whether people think less of those who have revealed unsavory things about themselves.

Obviously, the answer is yes, right?

In fact, you find something along the same lines when it comes to romantic relationships as well.

And what do you think this is telling us?

Why is it that we are so averse to the hider, even when the only option is a revealer who tells us that they've done something wrong?

So researchers have found that several cognitive biases shape our desire to conceal.

One of them is called the impact bias.

What is the impact bias, Leslie?

The impact bias ends up shaping what we regret, and also the difference between short-term regrets and long-term regrets.

In one study, the psychologists Thomas Gilovich and Victoria Medvek explored this difference.

There was a book by the hospice care nurse, Bronnie Ware, titled The Top Five Regrets of the Dying.

What were these regrets, Leslie?

You say that you yourself were inspired to engage in more self-disclosure by Bronnie Ware's book.

Tell me about a recent incident with your mother where, in some ways, you were made aware, if you will, of all the things that you hadn't told her.

Did you read the letter to her or did you give her the letter?

in our episode next week we continue our exploration of the power of self disclosure look for the episode titled coming clean

We also look at when and where the scientific evidence suggests it may be best to withhold information and to play your cards close to the chest.

That's in our Hidden Brain Plus episode titled, When to Hide the Truth.

If you're a subscriber, that episode should be available in your podcast feed right now.