UnHerd with Freddie Sayers
Mattias Desmet: Are you suffering from mass formation psychosis?
Oct 17, 2024
In this engaging conversation, Mattias Desmet, a psychology professor at the University of Ghent and author of 'The Psychology of Totalitarianism', dissects mass formation psychosis, particularly its rise during the pandemic. He delves into how loneliness fuels herd mentality and explores the crucial need for dissenting voices. Desmet highlights the potential for a movement toward sincerity and truth as a counter to manipulation, urging a return to empathy and ethical resilience to combat totalitarianism, and emphasizing the power of authentic expression in challenging collective pressures.
46:44
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Quick takeaways
- Mass formation psychosis reveals how educated individuals can conform to flawed ideologies due to social pressures and lack of critical thinking.
- The prevalence of loneliness in society amplifies vulnerability to mass narratives, highlighting the importance of authenticity to combat totalitarianism.
Deep dives
Understanding Mass Formation Psychosis
Mass formation psychosis is a psychological phenomenon where highly educated individuals fall prey to absurd narratives due to their desire for social conformity and a lack of critical thinking skills. This concept is rooted in the realization of the replication crisis in the sciences, where a significant percentage of research findings could not be reproduced, casting doubt on their validity. Professor Matthias Desmet argues that an educational system fostering conformity over independent thought contributes to this susceptibility. Throughout history, similar patterns have been observed, demonstrating that intelligent individuals can collectively embrace flawed ideologies when they fail to question established norms.
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