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
How To Stay Motivated So You Exceed Your Goals | Ayelet Fishbach PhD
A Long, Happy Life? The Impacts of Increasing Our Longevity | Bradley Schurman
Why Finding Pleasure in Life is a Painful Journey | Paul Bloom
How Collaboration is Growing Behavioral Science: Learnings from BX Arabia
How To Turn Your Creative Dreams Into Reality | Jeff Madoff
How To Create New Goals That Will Really Motivate You in 2022
The Behavioral Science Books We Just Couldn’t Put Down in 2021 With Louise Ward
More Than Just A Checklist: How to Effectively Apply Behavioral Science | Torben Emmerling
Our Love Of Music And The Influence Of The Pandemic With Mark Thorley
Please Help Us by Voting for Behavioral Grooves - it takes 10 seconds
Trust: The Four Key Steps to Genuinely Build It | Sandra Sucher
Focus More on HOW to Think, and Less on WHAT to Think | Dr. Howard Rankin PhD
Need a Laugh to Get Through Your Workday? Dan Hill
Feeling Fearful: Why People Seek Out Conspiracy Theories | Eric Oliver
Why We Are More Vulnerable To Harmful Conspiracy Theories Than We Think | Andy Norman
Conspiracy Theories: How To Talk to A Science Denier | Lee McIntyre
Conspiracy Theories: Hidden Brain‘s Shankar Vedantam | The Delusion of Nations
Halloween Special: Grooving on Scary Biases
Why Does Rude Behavior Really Bother Us So Much? | Trevor Foulk PhD
Helping People To Assemble Better Decisions | Eric J. Johnson
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