Why You Think People Don't Like You (The Liking Gap)

Ever walked away from a conversation convinced someone didn't like you, even though nothing actually went wrong? There's a psychological phenomenon called the **Liking Gap**: we tend to underestimate how much other people enjoy talking to us. In this video, we explore why your brain replays awkward moments, why conversations ending doesn't necessarily mean rejection, and what research reveals about how people actually see each other. You'll also discover three practical ways to stop second-guessing every interaction and make connecting with others a little easier. *Chapters:* 00:00 The Conversation You Can't Stop Replaying 00:49 The Liking Gap Experiment 01:34 Why Your Brain Gets It Wrong 02:20 The Conversation Ending Trap 03:00 How Overthinking Costs You Friendships 03:29 Step 1: Correct Your Assumptions 03:45 Step 2: Focus on the Other Person 04:10 Step 3: Send the Message 04:33 A Different Ending Have you ever replayed a conversation and wondered if the other person actually liked you? Share your experience in the comments. tags liking gap, the liking gap, why people don't like me, why you think people don't like you, psychology, social psychology, social anxiety, overthinking, overthinking conversations, conversation anxiety, social interactions, fear of rejection, making friends, friendship psychology, self consciousness, psychology explained, psychology facts, social confidence, why we overthink, mindward