Tamar Jacoby: I think the stigma is because so much of it isn't science. It's a crock. You don't want to be. So much of it is total bullshit, if the genre hadn't been corrupted to such a degree. Adam Grant at Wharton and Amy Wiersnuski at Yellowstone have this study. They find that when the supervisor expresses gratitude to people, they will persevere 50% longer. Their efforts go up dramatically. And we know that the degree to which they report feeling pride predicts how long they persevere in a dose response kind of way.
What's the best way to build self-control, patience, productivity, and delayed marshmallow eating? For decades psychologists and economists have told us to develop traits like willpower and grit. But psychologist David DeSteno describes a better, easier, and more effective path--the emotions. We talk to David about his new (not-self-help) book "Emotional Success," which argues that the emotions of gratitude, pride, and compassion can help us fulfill long-term goals and (as a special bonus) make us happier and better people.
Plus, David and Tamler take a quiz that measures how utilitarian they are, and you won't believe the results!!! (Actually, you will.)
This episode is sponsored by Casper. Visit www.casper.com and enter offer code BADWIZARDS to get $50 toward select purchases.
Special Guest: Dave DeSteno.
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