The Scientific Case for Being Less in Touch With Your Friends

Dr. Grant, a contributing Opinion writer, is an organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. This essay is adapted from his new book, “Vibe.”

My mom has always been my biggest cheerleader. During the pandemic, I didn’t see her for many months, and I missed her. When she was able to travel, she braved a long cross-country trip to spend quality time with me and my family. It didn’t go as planned. I was impatient when she needed help with her phone. We couldn’t agree on what to eat for dinner. She accidentally broke a vase. She’d often quoted her beloved grandmother: “Visitors are like fish — after three days, they stink.” By the end of the........

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