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The Psychology of Claps: Cultivating Meaningful Engagement on Medium

Christabel Nem
3 min readAug 20, 2023

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In the dynamic realm of digital content, a silent ovation holds more sway than meets the eye. Enter the psychology of claps — a fascinating exploration into Medium engagement that offers a fresh perspective on crafting content that resonates deeply with readers. Get ready to embark on a journey through the minds of your audience, enriched with real studies and insights that will invigorate your writing strategy.

Photo by Edwin Andrade on Unsplash

The Subtle Language of Connection

Imagine this scenario: you’ve poured your heart and soul into a piece, and the claps start pouring in. It’s not just an online nod of approval; it’s a subtle yet profound affirmation of the intricate bond that forms between readers and writers in the digital arena. Findings from Smith et al.’s research in 2018(1) reveal that readers are more inclined to react with claps when content evokes personal experiences or emotions, touching on universally relatable themes.

The Neuroscience of Narratives

Have you ever wondered why storytelling captivates us so effortlessly? Enter oxytocin, the neurochemical behind our emotional reactions. A study conducted by Fisher et al. in 2017(2) demonstrates that narratives stimulate a surge of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for feelings…

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Christabel Nem
Christabel Nem

Written by Christabel Nem

Living to learn while learning to live. Skincare fanatic. Psychology lover. People lover. Entrepreneur.

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