Secrets

The main reason not to reveal a secret is aversion to the long term consequences. Friends may turn away from you a community might ostracize you. Concern about the outcome is evidenced by the fact that we are more likely to tell our secrets to total strangers; with someone you don’t know the neural conflict can be dissipated with none of the costs. This may be why strangers can be so forthcoming on airplanes, telling all the details of our troubles and why confessional booths have remained a staple in one of the world’s largest religions. It may similarly explain the appeal of prayer, especially in those religions that have personal gods who lend their ears with undivided attention and infinite love.