Have you ever offered support you didn't really mean?
Have you ever cheered on a friend’s risky decision while feeling a knot of doubt in your stomach? Or perhaps you’ve nodded sympathetically to a coworker venting about a project, even though you secretly felt they were entirely in the wrong. You smiled, validated their frustration, and said all the right supportive words—while wishing you were anywhere else. We typically view social support as a pure, selfless good. In relationship science, supportive communication is celebrated as the cornerstone of strong bonds....