Being able to understand other human beings, what they're doing, why they're doing it, and what they will do in the future, is overrated. Sometimes it's useful but god DAMN it can it be frustrating.
I have a much higher social need than I used to. I'm not entirely certain what made that happen; I think being around others routinely and getting a taste for it is a large component. Another potential reason, right now anyway, is that being around other people is (for me anyway) a good distraction from inner pain- at least if I'm around the right kind of people and doing the right kind of things.