No Stupid Questions 63. How Contagious Is Behavior? With Laurie Santos of “The Happiness Lab.”
Aug 8, 2021
In this insightful chat, Laurie Santos, a Yale psychology professor and host of "The Happiness Lab," dives into the fascinating world of behavioral contagion. Discover why we mimic accents and mannerisms, and how this shapes our identity. Santos explores the dynamics of social imitation, the 'chameleon effect,' and what it reveals about empathy. The conversation also tackles the complexities of happiness, discussing the hedonic treadmill, emotional resilience, and practical strategies to enhance joy and gratitude in our lives.
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Mimicking Accents
- Sabika Shaban observes mimicking accents in multicultural environments.
- Angela Duckworth relates, having adopted a British accent after two years at Oxford.
Behavioral Contagion
- Mimicking behavior, termed "behavioral contagion," is an evolved aspect of human cognition, also observed in animals like schooling fish.
- This natural tendency allows individuals to unconsciously adopt others' behaviors.
The Chameleon Effect
- Yale's John Bargh and Tanya Chartrand's "chameleon effect" study demonstrated unconscious mimicry.
- Subjects unknowingly mirrored experimenters' movements, highlighting the automatic nature of behavioral contagion.