This chapter explores the complex relationship between identity and social interactions, emphasizing that our sense of self is shaped by cultural influences and connections with others. It discusses the limitations of individual-focused self-help approaches, highlighting the interdependence of personal and communal identities. Through examples, the chapter illustrates how perceptions of self and attributes are often influenced by social dynamics rather than objective reality.
If you take away how others see you, how do you see yourself? Psychologist, author and Stanford Graduate School of Business professor Brian Lowery argues that this question is so difficult to wrap our heads around because what we think of as our individual identity is actually a social construction. In this episode, he and Chris take us on a journey exploring the objective vs the subjective self, the performance of identity and how your view of others has a stronger sway than you realize.