Harvard Scientist’s 10 Questions to Boost Social Likability

Key points

• Alison Wood Brooks, a Harvard Business School professor, emphasizes that asking questions is more effective than trying to impress others with wit or accomplishments.
• The ten questions are adapted from Arthur Aron’s 36 questions that facilitate romantic attraction, modified for general social settings.
• Open-ended questions allow people to talk about themselves, which they enjoy, and give permission for vulnerability, increasing likability.
• Asking a question and following up with two more signals genuine interest, leveraging the psychological principle of reciprocal liking.
• The questions include topics like recent excitement, skills, hobbies, and new media consumption.

Background

This topic builds on broader discussions about human-AI interactions and social behavior, such as the 2026-09-01 article on AI chats potentially making humans more robot-like, highlighting the importance of genuine human connection in social settings.

Why it matters

Understanding effective social strategies can improve interpersonal relationships, professional networking, and personal well-being by reducing social anxiety and enhancing connection.

What to watch

Individuals can adopt these questions in social situations to foster deeper conversations and improve likability, potentially influencing future research on social dynamics and communication.