Dr. Jay Van Bavel, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at NYU, discusses his book 'The Power of Us' exploring how collective concerns shape behavior. They touch on bias in academia, the influence of implicit bias, and the importance of social identities in addressing issues like inequality and climate change.
Our identities, including our group identities, play a significant role in shaping our behavior, beliefs, and perception of the world.
Groupthink refers to the phenomenon where individuals conform to group opinions and decisions, even in the face of contradicting evidence.
Implicit bias refers to the unconscious associations and stereotypes that individuals hold, which can influence their behavior and decision-making.
Deep dives
Identity shapes behavior
Our identities, including our group identities, play a significant role in shaping our behavior, beliefs, and perception of the world. These identities can be influenced by factors such as cultural norms, experiences, and media. Identity can impact various aspects of life, including personal development, social interactions, and decision-making processes.
Groupthink and social solidarity
Groupthink refers to the phenomenon where individuals conform to group opinions and decisions, even in the face of contradicting evidence. This can occur in various contexts, from cults to corporate environments. Social solidarity, on the other hand, involves the creation of a shared identity and sense of unity within a group, especially during challenging or adversarial circumstances. Successful social movements often rely on fostering solidarity among diverse individuals who have a common goal or face a shared adversity.
Implicit bias and overcoming bias
Implicit bias refers to the unconscious associations and stereotypes that individuals hold, which can influence their behavior and decision-making. These biases can manifest in various domains, including race, gender, and age. Overcoming bias requires a multi-faceted approach, including creating diverse and inclusive environments, implementing structural changes, and challenging and reforming societal norms and institutions. While interventions can temporarily reduce bias, long-lasting change necessitates addressing systemic inequalities and creating fair decision-making processes.
Identity and societal issues
Identity plays a crucial role in addressing major societal issues such as climate change, social inequality, and democracy. Understanding and harnessing the power of identity can lead to collective action, informed decision-making, and the development of inclusive structures and norms. By fostering identities that prioritize social cooperation, empathy, and accurate information, society can move towards a more just and sustainable future.
Advice for academic research
When pursuing academic research, it is essential to choose topics that align with personal interests and have both theoretical and practical significance. Passion and intrinsic motivation can drive meaningful contributions. Aim high in research endeavors, setting ambitious goals to maximize potential impact. It is important to consider the broader implications of research and actively engage with relevant social issues.
Welcome to Week 5 of our REAIR SUMMER! From this week till September 21st, we will be revisiting some of our favorite episodes around topics related to personal development and self-improvement!
Joseph chats with Dr. Jay Van Bavel, an Associate Professor of Psychology and Neural Science at the New York University. His research examines how collective concerns namely group identities, moral values, and political beliefs—shape the mind, brain, and behavior. In this episode we chat about his new book titled “The Power of Us: Harnessing Our Shared Identities to Improve Performance, Increase Cooperation, and Promote Social Harmony”.
To learn more about Jay’s research you can visit his lab website, the Social Identity and Morality Lab: https://www.jayvanbavel.com/lab
*We are currently conducting a survey to get to know our listeners better and to collect any feedback and suggestions so we can improve our podcast. If you have 1 minute, please click the link here to submit your anonymous response: https://forms.gle/dzHqnWTptW8pSVwMA. Thank you for your time and support!
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
