We all have an inherent need to belong. And the groups we feel part of actually shape our behavior, more than we realize. They influence how we navigate the world and the way we relate to each other. In an increasingly polarized landscape, our social identities are often collapsed into a single dimension; Republican or Democrat, Brexit Leaver or Brexit Remainer. But our identities are multifaceted. And if we unpeel the complex layers of our identities, we reveal more commonalities than differences. Exposing that can be a powerful and unifying force.
The Power of Us is an incredible new book, showcasing the potential we have when we harness our shared identities. In this episode, Dominic Packer, who co-authored the book alongside fellow researcher Jay Van Bavel, gives us a glimpse into their revolutionary new understanding of identity, and how our groups have a powerful influence on our feelings, beliefs, and behaviors. We also learn how these shared identities can inspire personal change and social movements.
“Our social identities end up shaping a lot of how we navigate the world, a lot of our feelings about the world and how we relate to each other.” ~ Dominic Packer
If you enjoy Behavioral Grooves podcast, please leave us a quick review on your podcast platform. It really helps other listeners to find our content. You can also become a mega-fan by contributing to Behavioral Grooves through Patreon. Thank you!
Topics(3:28) Welcome and speed round questions.
(9:16) How polarization is collapsing our identities into a single dimension.
(11:36) How priming a particular part of your identity can change how you think.
(14:59) Does the 24 hour news cycle constantly remind us of our political identity?
(17:26) Who is The Power Of Us written for?
(18:55) Why were the Minimal Group Studies so important to understanding group identities?
(24:59) Who is most likely to dissent from a group?
(28:22) In-group love is not inherently the same as out-group hate.
(31:39) What factors lead to out-group hate?
(33:41) What steps can create more cohesion between groups?
(36:07) Why did the COVID-19 pandemic cause division and not unity?
(44:55) How music can make you feel part of a group and reinforce your identity.
(54:54) Grooving Session discussing what we have learnt about our own social identities.
Links“The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony” by Jay J. Van Bavel PhD, Dominic J. Packer PhD: https://amzn.to/3BsmzF6
Henri Tajfel: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henri_Tajfel
Oprah Winfrey “Discrimination Exercise” show: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJ1PGDEKaqs
Jane Elliott: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Elliott
Musical LinksTreble Charger “American Psycho”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZqCwEgOv1k
Green Day “Time of Your Life”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnQ8N1KacJc
Nirvana "Smells Like Teen Spirit": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTWKbfoikeg
Dave Grohl, drumming solo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utYq-AIJSbg&ab_channel=painmanist
Grooving on Goals: The Magic of Goals [Republish: Episode 27]
Groove Track | Why It Takes More Than Willpower To Reach Your Goals
Why Random Rewards Feel So Much Better Than Earned Ones with Richard Shotton
Want Marketing That’s Effective? Use a Behavioral Science Perspective | Nancy Harhut
Can Psychology Tell Us What Makes A Good Life? With Paul Bloom, Part 2
Psychology: Should Freud Still Be On The Syllabus? Paul Bloom, Part 1
What Do You Really Want? Understand The Desires We All Share | Charlotte Fox Weber
How One Small Word Can Transform Our Motivation, Success And Relationships | Jonah Berger
A Guide To The Ambitious Future of Behavioral Science with Michael Hallsworth PhD
Surprising Ways To End Poverty and Solve Climate Change with Erik Angner PhD
Why You Don‘t Need to be Powerful to be Influential | Vanessa Bohns [Republish]
You Work. You Parent. But Can You Also Thrive? | Yael Schonbrun PhD
The Tools You Need To Embrace Uncertainty | Nathan Furr and Susannah Harmon Furr
How To Frame Incentives To Drive The Desired Behavior | James Castello
The Myth of the “Relationship Spark” with Logan Ury, featuring guest appearance by Christina Gravert, PhD [Republish]
Why Resilience Is More Than Just Bouncing Back | Gabriella Rosen Kellerman MD
Why Human Connection Is The Key To Effective Branding | Matt Johnson
Why The Best Choice Can Sometimes Be An Imperfect Choice | Michelle Segar PhD
Top 2 Tips on How to Read a Book Quickly
How Behavioral Science Can Tackle Misinformation And Obesity | Evelyn Gosnell
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Poetry of Science
Hidden Brain
Something You Should Know
The Science of Happiness
The Psychology Podcast