The study by the psychologist Arthur Aron (and others) thatexplores whether intimacy between two strangers can be acceleratedby having them ask each other a specific series of personalquestions.

The idea is that mutual vulnerability fosters closeness. Toquote the study’s authors, “One key pattern associated with thedevelopment of a close relationship among peers is sustained,escalating, reciprocal, personal self-disclosure.” Allowing oneselfto be vulnerable with another person can be exceedingly difficult,so this exercise forces the issue.

The most tantalizing detail: Six months later, two participantswere married.