The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
Why We're Better With Some Threats Than Others (An Earth Month Re-Run)
Mar 17, 2025
In this engaging conversation, Dan Gilbert, a Harvard psychology professor and happiness expert, discusses our human tendency to prioritize immediate threats over distant crises like climate change. He delves into societal biases that hinder proactive reactions, explaining how we react more strongly to threats we can see. The talk highlights strategies to harness psychological insights for environmental action, emphasizing the importance of framing and individual contributions. Gilbert encourages imagining positive futures to motivate change and emphasizes the urgency of tackling climate issues.
34:40
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Quick takeaways
- Humans instinctively respond to immediate threats, making it challenging to address gradual issues like climate change effectively.
- Emotional engagement through moral outrage and social proof can significantly enhance collective action towards environmental responsibility.
Deep dives
The Limitations of Human Threat Response
Human response to threats is typically immediate when faced with direct danger, such as an attack. However, this instinct does not apply to more gradual and complex threats like climate change. The brain is wired to react to urgent threats, which often leads to inaction regarding long-term concerns that feel less pressing. This disconnect makes it difficult for individuals to prioritize necessary but delayed actions that address global warming and other slow-evolving issues.
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