{
  "id": 19483694,
  "title": "The best conversations may follow a hidden mathematical rhythm called pink noise, according to new psychology research",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/the-best-conversations-may-follow-a-hidden-mathematical-rhythm-called",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-11T11:00:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PsyPost",
    "slug": "psypost",
    "url": "https://www.psypost.org/the-best-conversations-may-follow-a-hidden-mathematical-rhythm-called-pink-noise-according-to-new-psychology-research/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "New research published in Science Advances suggests that enjoyable conversations may exhibit a mathematical pattern known as \"pink noise.\" This pattern involves speakers moving in and out of alignment on topics, bringing fresh ideas in while reconnecting, leading to greater enjoyment and deeper connections.\n\nThe study, conducted by Dartmouth College, analyzed 1,656 online English video chats between strangers. Conversations scoring above the random baseline of 0.5 on a scale of 0.5 to 1.0, representing white and pink noise respectively, averaged 0.62. Pink noise, a middle ground between random changes and rigid repetition, was found to foster more engaging conversations than the traditional model of alignment and synchronization.",
  "summary": "Enjoyable conversations tend not to stay in perfect agreement. A study of thousands of chats found that those with a stronger “pink noise” pattern of drifting apart and coming back together were rated as more enjoyable.",
  "key_points": [
    "New research in Science Advances links enjoyable conversations to pink noise",
    "Dartmouth College study analyzed 1,656 online English video chats",
    "Pink noise, balancing randomness and repetition, enhances engagement"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Moving between topic alignment and divergence creates more engaging social connections by replacing rigid synchronization with a mathematical rhythm that fosters deeper enjoyment during interactions.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}