In this engaging conversation, Brian Lowery, a Stanford professor and social psychologist, shares insights from his book, *Selfless*. He argues that our identities are fluid and shaped by social relationships, challenging the myth of a constant self. Lowery emphasizes the role of community and culture in personal development, critiques the notion of meritocracy, and highlights how our neighborhoods influence success. His refreshing perspective invites us to embrace diverse thoughts and reconsider how we define ourselves in a constantly changing world.
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insights INSIGHT
Self-Knowledge Through Interaction
We know ourselves through social interactions, which act like mirrors, constructing our self-image.
Relationships co-create our identities, shaping how we see ourselves and how others perceive us.
insights INSIGHT
Multiple Selves
We don't have a single, essential self but rather multiple selves across time and situations. These varying selves are not costumes but constitute who we are in those moments.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Shee's Identity Research
Margaret Shee's research with Asian American women demonstrated how context influences self-perception. Subtly prompting them to identify as Asian American or female affected their math test performance.
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Miranda July's "All Fours" is a poignant and unconventional novel that explores themes of aging, mortality, and the complexities of human connection. The narrative unfolds through the experiences of an unnamed narrator grappling with her changing body and relationships. July's writing style is characterized by its intimate and often humorous approach to profound subjects. The book delves into the challenges of intergenerational friendships and the societal obsession with youth. Ultimately, "All Fours" offers a reflective and empathetic portrayal of the human experience.
It’s tempting to believe that the self is a constant. That it’s a core component of who we are from the time we’re born.
But social psychologist and Stanford Professor Brian Lowery has a different view. He believes the self we are today is a product of our social relationships – our friends, our families, our communities, our technologies, even our geography. That as our circumstances change, so does the self we believe ourselves to be. In this interview, we talk about this and more from his book, Selfless: The Social Creation of You.
Brian’s argument explains so much about how we operate in the world, and he gives us another reason to prioritize social relationships in our lives.
Episode Links
A Provocative Theory of Identity Finds There is No ‘You’ in Self
Brian Lowery on the Myth of Rugged Individualism and What This Means for the America of the 2020s
Interview with Gregory Burns
The Team
Learn more about host, Gayle Allen, and producer, Rob Mancabelli, here.
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