This chapter explores the influence of social dynamics on individual behavior through personal anecdotes, highlighting the impact of in-group and out-group biases. It delves into the psychological mechanisms behind group dynamics, including how our brains recognize faces and determine trustworthiness, emphasizing the role of familiarity and automatic responses in shaping perceptions. The discussion further examines the complexities of social interactions, illustrating the cognitive functions that govern our reactions to different groups and the implications for contemporary society.
It's human nature to form groups — families, friends, online communities. We love to be surrounded by people similar to us.
But that can also make us discriminatory and defensive. And social media makes that instinct worse.
Today, we look at how our brains evolved to connect and divide, and what that means for the problems we face in our modern world.
This episode was first broadcast in April 2023.
Looking for something to listen to next? Check out another All in the Mind episode, The Certainty Myth.